The Hebrew word אֲבִי (Abi), identified as Strong's H33, is a construct form of the word "father" that appears frequently in biblical contexts with important meanings.
From H44 with the article inserted; father of an Ezrite; Abiezerite or descendant of Abiezer: Abiezerite.
Etymological meaning: אֲבִי (Abi) is the construct form (construct state) of the word אָב (av), meaning "father." In Hebrew, the construct form is used when a word is grammatically connected to the one that follows.
Therefore, it literally means "father of" or "my father," depending on the context.
Biblical Context: This word appears in several important contexts:
As part of compound names:
Many Hebrew names begin with "Abi-," such as Abimelech ("my father is king"), Abishai ("my father exists"), etc.
These theophoric names often express a relationship with God or a paternal quality.
In expressions of familial relationships:
It is used to designate "father of" in genealogical constructions.
It appears in phrases such as "Abi Shechem" (father of Shechem) in Judges 9:28.
In metaphorical expressions:
In contexts where "father" is used metaphorically to indicate origin, founder, or authority figure.
For example, in Genesis 4:20-21, where Jabal is called "אֲבִי (abi) of those who live in tents and keep livestock."
In expressions of a relationship with God:
In passages where God is referred to as a father, especially in prayers or poetic expressions.
For example, in Isaiah 63:16: "You, O Lord, are our father (אָבִינוּ, avinu)."
Theological significance: The notion of "father" (אָב/אֲבִי) is theologically significant in the Hebrew Bible:
Patriarchy and Leadership: It reflects the patriarchal social structure of ancient Israelite society.
Relationship with God: The metaphor of God as father appears in the Old Testament and is developed more extensively in the New Testament.
Genealogical Continuity: In a culture where descent and inheritance were central, the concept of "father of" (אֲבִי) had profound social and legal implications.
Wisdom and Tradition: The father also represented the source of wisdom and tradition, as we see in the wisdom texts (Proverbs, etc.).
This word, although simple in appearance, is fundamental to understanding many familial, social, and theological structures in the Hebrew biblical text, especially in understanding the relationship between God and his people, which is often described using familial metaphors such as father and sons.
