Topical Encyclopedia
Ahimaaz is a biblical figure prominently featured in the Old Testament, known for his role as a swift messenger and his connection to King David. His account is primarily found in the books of 2 Samuel and 1 Kings.
Lineage and FamilyAhimaaz was the son of Zadok, the high priest during the reign of King David. Zadok was a descendant of Aaron, the brother of Moses, and served as a faithful priest and advisor to David. Ahimaaz's mother is not mentioned in the biblical text, but he is known to have had a brother named Azariah. Ahimaaz's lineage is significant as it places him within the priestly line, which held considerable influence and responsibility in ancient Israel.
Role as a MessengerAhimaaz is best known for his role as a messenger during the turbulent period of Absalom's rebellion against King David. In
2 Samuel 15:27, David instructs Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, to return to Jerusalem with the Ark of the Covenant and to use their sons, Ahimaaz and Jonathan, as informants to relay information about Absalom's movements. This strategic decision highlights Ahimaaz's reliability and trustworthiness.
In
2 Samuel 18, Ahimaaz volunteers to bring news of Absalom's defeat to King David. Despite Joab's initial reluctance to send him, Ahimaaz insists and is eventually allowed to run. Demonstrating his swiftness, he outruns the Cushite messenger and reaches David first. However, out of respect and perhaps fear of delivering bad news, Ahimaaz only partially informs David, saying, "All is well!" and that there was a great commotion, but he refrains from explicitly stating Absalom's death (
2 Samuel 18:28-29).
Character and AttributesAhimaaz is portrayed as a loyal and eager servant, willing to take risks to serve his king. His desire to deliver news to David, even when it involved potential danger or distressing information, underscores his dedication and courage. His swiftness in running also suggests physical prowess and determination.
Later Life and LegacyThe Bible does not provide further details about Ahimaaz's life after the events of Absalom's rebellion. However, his role as a messenger and his connection to the priestly line of Zadok suggest that he continued to serve in a capacity that supported the stability and spiritual leadership of Israel.
In
1 Kings 4:15, an Ahimaaz is mentioned as one of Solomon's twelve district governors, married to Basemath, Solomon's daughter. While it is not explicitly stated that this is the same Ahimaaz, the connection to the royal family and the name's recurrence within the priestly context suggest a continuation of his family's influence and service to the monarchy.
Ahimaaz's account, though brief, reflects themes of loyalty, service, and the importance of communication in leadership. His actions during a critical moment in Israel's history demonstrate the vital role of messengers and the trust placed in them by their leaders.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Ahimaaza brother of the council
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Ahimaaz(brother of anger).
- Son of Zadok the high priest in David's reign, and celebrated for his swiftness of foot. During Absalom's rebellion he carried to David the important intelligence that Ahithophel had counselled an immediate attack upon David and his followers. (2 Samuel 15:24-37;17:15-22) Shortly afterwards he was the first to bring to the king the good news of Absalom's defeat. (2 Samuel 18:19-33) (B.C. 972-956.)
- Saul's wife's father. (1 Samuel 14:50) (B.C. before 1093.)
- Solomon's son-in-law. (1 Kings 4:15) (B.C. after 1014.)
ATS Bible Dictionary
AhimaazThe son and successor of Zadok became high priest in the reign of Solomon. During the reign of David, he revealed to him the counsels of Absalom and his advisers in rebellion,2 Samuel 17:15-21; and conveyed to him also the tidings of Absalom's defeat and death,2 Samuel 18:1-33.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Brother of anger = irascible.
(1.) The father Ahinoam, the wife of Saul (1 Samuel 14:50).
(2.) The son and successor of Zadok in the office of high priest (1 Chronicles 6:8, 53). On the occasion of the revolt of Absalom he remained faithful to David, and was of service to him in conveying to him tidings of the proceedings of Absalom in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:24-37;17:15-21). He was swift of foot, and was the first to carry to David tidings of the defeat of Absalom, although he refrained, from delicacy of feeling, from telling him of his death (2 Samuel 18:19-33).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
AHIMAAZa-hi-ma'-az, a-him'-a-az ('achima`ats, perhaps "my brother is rage," or "brother of rage"):
(1) Father of Ahinoam the wife of King Saul (1 Samuel 14:50).
(2) The son of Zadok the high priest (1 Chronicles 6:8, 9, 53). With his father he remained loyal to David in the rebellions both of Absalom and of Adonijah. With Jonathan the son of Abiathar he carried information to Dared when he fled from Absalom (2 Samuel 15:27, 36;2 Samuel 17:17, 20). At his own urgent request he carried tidings to David after the death of Absalom (2 Samuel 18:19). He told the king of the victory, and also, through his reluctance to speak, informed him of Absalom's death. By his reluctance and his sympathy he softened a little the message, which the Cushite presently repeated more harshly.
That Ahimaaz did not succeed his father as high priest has been inferred from the fact that in the Solomon list of heads of departments (1 Kings 4:2) Azariah the son of Zadok is mentioned as priest. It is assumed that this Azariah is the one who appears in the genealogy as the son of Ahimaaz, and that for some reason Ahimaaz was left out of the succession. These inferences are not Justified by the record, though possibly the record does not absolutely disprove them. As the list stands it makes Zadok and Abiathar the high priests. Azariah and Zabud, the son of Nathan (1 Kings 4:2, 5), are spoken of as holding priestly offices of a different kind. Ahimaaz may have died early, or may have followed some other career, but the simple fact is that we do not know.
(3) Ahimaaz, in Naphtali, was one of Solomon's twelve commissary officers (1 Kings 4:15), who married Basemath the daughter of Solomon. It is not impossible that he was Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, though there is no proof to that effect.
Willis J. Beecher
Strong's Hebrew
290. Achimaats -- "my brother is wrath," two Israelites... "my brother is wrath," two Israelites. Transliteration: Achimaats Phonetic Spelling:
(akh-ee-mah'-ats) Short Definition:
Ahimaaz.
... NASB Word Usage
Ahimaaz (15).
...Library
The Wail of a Broken Heart
... Then saidAhimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how
that the Lord hath avenged him of his enemies.20. And Joab said unto him....
How, when Absalom was Beaten, He was Caught in a Tree by his Hair...
... 4. But nowAhimaaz, the son of Zadok the high priest, went to Joab, and desired
he would permit him to go and tell David of this victory, and to bring him the...
Absalom the Ungrateful Son
... Abiathar the priests? See, they have there with them their two sons,Ahimaaz,
Zadok's son, and Jonathan, Abiathar's son. By them...
Of Uncharitable Truth.
... in their mouths, as keep anything they think New; nay, will sometimes run themselves
out of breath, for fear least anyone should serve them asAhimaaz did the...
The Sick Person Ought Now to Send for Some Godly and Religious...
... when it is told a penitent sinner that death knocks at the door, and begins to look
him in the face, he may say of death, as David said ofAhimaaz, "Let him...
Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire...
... the family of David (2 Samuel 9.xx.) bear so evident a stamp of authenticity that
they have been attributed to a contemporary writer, perhapsAhimaaz, son of...
Thesaurus
Ahimaaz (15 Occurrences)... telling him of his death (2 Samuel 18:19-33). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
AHIMAAZ. a-hi-ma'-az, a-him'-a-az ('achima`ats, perhaps
...Ahi'ma-az (7 Occurrences)
Ahi'ma-az.Ahimaaz, Ahi'ma-az. Ahim'a-az . Multi-Version Concordance
Ahi'ma-az (7 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 18:19 Then saidAhimaaz...
Ahim'a-az (8 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 14:50 and the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam the daughter ofAhimaaz;
and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle...
Cushi (7 Occurrences)
... That this man was in fact a foreigner is indicated by his ignorance of a shorter
path whichAhimaaz took, by his being unrecognized by the watchman who...
Ahinoam (7 Occurrences)
... (1.) The daughter ofAhimaaz, and wife of Saul (1 Samuel 14:50).... 1 Samuel 14:50
and the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam the daughter ofAhimaaz....
Mahanaim (15 Occurrences)
...Ahimaaz then preferred to make a detour, thus securing a level road, while
the Cushite took the rough track across the heights....
Enrogel (4 Occurrences)
... It was at this fountain that Jonathan andAhimaaz lay hid after the flight of David
(2 Samuel 17:17); and here also Adonijah held the feast when he aspired to...
En-rogel (4 Occurrences)
... It was at this fountain that Jonathan andAhimaaz lay hid after the flight of David
(2 Samuel 17:17); and here also Adonijah held the feast when he aspired to...
Zadok (50 Occurrences)
... the Kidron, bearing the Ark of the Covenant, which, however, they were directed
to carry back to the city, taking with them their two sons,Ahimaaz the son of...
Inform (24 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 17:17 Now Jonathan andAhimaaz were staying by En Rogel; and a female servant
used to go and tell them; and they went and told king David....
Resources
Who was Ahimaaz in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Zadok in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Naphtali in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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