Topical Encyclopedia
Name Meaning: The name "Ishvi" is believed to mean "equal" or "level" in Hebrew. It is a name that appears in the genealogical records of the Old Testament, associated with the tribe of Benjamin and the family of King Saul.
Biblical References:1.
1 Samuel 14:49 : "The sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchi-shua. The names of his two daughters were Merab, the firstborn, and Michal, the younger." In this passage, Ishvi is mentioned as one of the sons of King Saul, the first king of Israel. This positions Ishvi within the royal lineage, although he is not as prominently featured in the biblical narrative as his brother Jonathan.
2.
1 Chronicles 8:33 : "Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal." In this genealogical record, Ishvi is referred to as Abinadab, which suggests that Ishvi may have been an alternate name or a nickname for Abinadab. This is a common occurrence in biblical texts, where individuals are known by more than one name.
3.
1 Chronicles 9:39 : "Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal." This verse mirrors the genealogy found in
1 Chronicles 8:33, again listing Abinadab in place of Ishvi, reinforcing the idea that Ishvi and Abinadab are the same person.
Historical and Theological Context:Ishvi, as a son of Saul, was part of the early monarchy of Israel. Saul's reign marked a significant transition from the period of the judges to the establishment of a centralized monarchy. Ishvi's family, particularly his brother Jonathan, played crucial roles in the military and political events of the time. However, Ishvi himself does not have a detailed narrative or specific exploits recorded in the biblical text.
The mention of Ishvi in the genealogies serves to underscore the importance of Saul's lineage and the fulfillment of God's purposes through the tribe of Benjamin. The genealogical records in Chronicles aim to provide a comprehensive account of Israel's history, emphasizing the continuity of God's covenant with His people.
Cultural and Literary Significance:The use of multiple names for a single individual, as seen with Ishvi and Abinadab, is a notable feature in biblical literature. This practice reflects the cultural and linguistic diversity of the ancient Near East, where names could vary based on dialect, context, or personal attributes.
Ishvi's inclusion in the biblical genealogies, despite the lack of a detailed personal account, highlights the importance of family and lineage in the biblical narrative. It serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of the tribes of Israel and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through history.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ISHVIish'-vi (yishwi, "equal"):
(1) The third son of Asher (Genesis 46:171 Chronicles 7:30), and founder of the family of the Ishvites (Numbers 26:44, the King James Version "Jesuites"), the King James Version "Isui," "Jesui," and "Ishui."
(2) The name is also found among the sons of Saul (1 Samuel 14:49), the King James Version "Ishui."
Strong's Hebrew
3441. Yishvi -- a descendant ofIshvi... Yishvi. 3442 . a descendant of
Ishvi. Transliteration: Yishvi Phonetic Spelling:
(yish-vee') Short Definition: Ishvites.
... of
Ishvi NASB Word Usage Ishvites (1).
...3440. Yishvi -- two Israelites
... 3439, 3440. Yishvi. 3441 . two Israelites. Transliteration: Yishvi Phonetic
Spelling: (yish-vee') Short Definition:Ishvi.... NASB Word UsageIshvi (4)....
Library
Chapter xlvi
... And the sons of Asher: Imnah and Ishvah andIshvi and Beriah; and Serah was
their sister. And the sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel....
The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <....
Thesaurus
Ishvi (4 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ISHVI.
...Ishvi (4 Occurrences). Genesis 46:17 The
sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah,
Ishvi, Beriah, and Serah their sister.
...Imnah (4 Occurrences)
... Imnah (4 Occurrences). Genesis 46:17 The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah,Ishvi, Beriah,
and Serah their sister. The sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel....
Ishvah (2 Occurrences)
... As only the families of his brothersIshvi, etc., are mentioned in Numbers 26:44,
the supposition is that he left no issue. Multi-Version Concordance...
Beriah (10 Occurrences)
... Beriah (10 Occurrences). Genesis 46:17 The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah,Ishvi,
Beriah, and Serah their sister. The sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel....
Beri'ah (10 Occurrences)
... Genesis 46:17 And the sons of Asher: Imnah, and Ishvah, andIshvi, and Beriah, and
Serah their sister; and the sons of Beriah: Heber, and Malchiel. (See RSV)....
Ishvite (1 Occurrence)
... Numbers 26:44 The sons of Asher after their families: of Imnah, the family of the
Imnites; ofIshvi, the family of the Ishvites; of Beriah, the family of the...
Ishve (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ishve (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 7:30 Son of Asher:
Imnah, and Ishve, andIshvi, and Beriah, and Serah their sister. (YLT)....
Ish-bosheth (14 Occurrences)
... Compare ESHBAAL andISHVI (the King James Version "Ishui"). We probably have
the right meaning of the name in Eshbaal andIshvi, the...
Ishbosheth (13 Occurrences)
... Compare ESHBAAL andISHVI (the King James Version "Ishui"). We probably have
the right meaning of the name in Eshbaal andIshvi, the...
Serah (5 Occurrences)
... Serah (5 Occurrences). Genesis 46:17 The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah,Ishvi, Beriah,
and Serah their sister. The sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel....
Resources
Who was Asher in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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