Topical Encyclopedia
Ner is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, primarily known as the father of Abner and the uncle of King Saul. His lineage and role in the history of Israel are significant, particularly in the context of the early monarchy.
Genealogy and Family ConnectionsNer is identified as a member of the tribe of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. He is the son of Abiel, making him a descendant of Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob. This connection places Ner within the broader narrative of the Israelite tribes and their settlement in the Promised Land.
Ner is most notably recognized as the father of Abner, who served as the commander of Saul's army. This relationship is highlighted in
1 Samuel 14:50-51: "The name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of his army was Abner son of Ner, and Ner was the uncle of Saul." This passage establishes Ner as the brother of Kish, Saul's father, thereby making him Saul's uncle.
Role and SignificanceWhile Ner himself does not play a prominent role in the biblical narrative, his familial connections are crucial. Through his son Abner, Ner is indirectly involved in the political and military affairs of Israel during Saul's reign. Abner's loyalty to Saul and his later interactions with David are pivotal in the transition of power from the house of Saul to the house of David.
Ner's mention in the genealogical records underscores the importance of family lineage in the biblical text. His position within the tribe of Benjamin and his connection to the first king of Israel highlight the tribal dynamics and the significance of kinship in the leadership structure of ancient Israel.
Biblical ReferencesNer's name appears in several genealogical listings and historical accounts within the Old Testament. In addition to
1 Samuel 14:50-51, he is mentioned in
1 Chronicles 8:33 and
1 Chronicles 9:39, which reiterate his relationship to Saul and Abner: "Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal."
These references serve to establish the continuity of Saul's lineage and the tribal affiliations that played a significant role in the governance and military organization of Israel during this period.
Theological ImplicationsFrom a theological perspective, Ner's inclusion in the biblical narrative, though brief, contributes to the understanding of God's providence in the establishment of Israel's monarchy. The familial ties between Ner, Saul, and Abner illustrate the complex interplay of divine sovereignty and human agency in the unfolding of Israel's history.
Ner's legacy, through his son Abner, also reflects the themes of loyalty, leadership, and the challenges of maintaining unity within the nation of Israel. These themes resonate throughout the biblical account of the monarchy and provide insight into the spiritual and moral lessons that can be drawn from the lives of these historical figures.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Nera lamp; new-tilled land
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Ner(a light orlamp), son of Jehiel, according to (1 Chronicles 8:33) father of Abner, and grandfather of King Saul. (B.C. 1140.) Abner was, therefore, uncle to Saul, as is expressly stated in (1 Samuel 14:50)
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Light, the father of Kish (
1 Chronicles 8:33).
1 Samuel 14:51 should be read, "Kish, the father of Saul, and Ner, the father of Abner, were the sons of Abiel." And hence this Kish and Ner were brothers, and Saul and Abner were first cousins (Comp.
1 Chronicles 9:36).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
adv. & a.) nearer.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
NERner (ner, "lamp"): Father of Abner (1 Samuel 14:50;1 Samuel 26:5, 14, etc.); grandfather of Saul (1 Chronicles 8:33). Other references, though adding no further information are2 Samuel 2:8, 12;2 Samuel 3:23, 25; 28; 371 Kings 2:5, 32, etc.
Greek
2080. eso -- within... within, inward. From eis; inside (as preposition or adjective) -- (with-)in(-
ner,
-to, -ward). see GREEK eis. (eso) -- 9 Occurrences. 2079, 2080. eso. 2081 >
...3505 -- Nero.
Nero. Phonetic Spelling: (ner'-ohn) Short Definition: Nero. Nero. Of
Latin origin; Neron (ie Nero), a Roman emperor -- Nero....
Strong's Hebrew
5369.Ner -- father of Abner, also the father of Kish... 5368, 5369.
Ner. 5370 . father of Abner, also the father of Kish.
Transliteration:
Ner Phonetic Spelling: (nare) Short Definition:
Ner.
...5216.ner -- a lamp
ner orner. 5215b, 5216.ner orner. 5217 . a lamp. Transliteration:ner
orner Phonetic Spelling: (neer) Short Definition: lamps....
6441. penimah -- toward the side or inside, within
... inner part,. From paniym with directive enclitic; faceward, ie Indoors --
(with-)in(-ner part, -ward). see HEBREW paniym. 6440, 6441. penimah. 6442 ....
6442. penimi -- inner
... Word Origin from panah Definition inner NASB Word Usage inner (31), inside (1).
inner,. From paniym; interior -- (with-)in(-ner, - ward). see HEBREW paniym....
2505. chalaq -- to divide, share
... by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to apportion or separate --
deal, distribute, divide, flatter, give, (have, im-)part(-ner), take away a...
2403. chatta'ah -- sinful thing, sin
... and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender --
punishment (of sin), purifying(-fication for sin), sin(-ner, offering)....
3672. Kinaroth -- a city in Galilee, also a lake near the city
... a city in Galilee, also a lake near the city. Transliteration: Kinaroth or Kinnereth
Phonetic Spelling: (kin-ner-oth') Short Definition: Chinnereth....
4501. menorah -- a lampstand
... Word Origin from the same asner Definition a lampstand NASB Word Usage each
lampstand (1), lampstand (33), lampstands (6). candlestick....
5215a. nir -- a lamp
... nir. 5215b . a lamp. Transliteration: nir Short Definition: lamp. Word Origin
from the same asner Definition a lamp NASB Word Usage lamp (5). 5215, 5215a....
5135. nur -- a fire
... fire. Word Origin (Aramaic) from a root corresponding to source ofner Definition
a fire NASB Word Usage fire (16). fiery, fire. (Aramaic...
Library
The Prisoner.
... The prisoner. When the poor pris'ner through a grate. Sees others walk at large;...
These gates and bars in pieces break, Ps 147:7. And set the pris'ner free!...
A Soldier who Spared his Enemy
... And he saw the place where Saul lay, with Abner the son ofNer, the commander of
his army; and Saul was within the barricade, and the people were camped about...
How the Philistines Made Another Expedition against the Hebrews...
... He had also Abner, his uncle's son, for the captain of his host: that uncle's name
wasNer. NowNer, and Kish the father of Saul, were brothers....
WT Vn to the Christen Reader.
... yet they fayne theyr Idole [the] Pope so mercifull/ [that] if thou make a litle
money glister in his Balams eyes/ there is nether penauncener purgatoryner...
The Horns of the Altar
... upon two men, more righteous and better than he, and slew them with the sword, my
father David not knowing thereof, to wit, Abner the son ofNer, captain of...
Wesley's Hymns Reconsidered
... This metre is familiar in the common metre of hymns: He breaks the power
of cancelled sin,. He sets the pris'ner free; in long metre:...
Wherfore Ionas was sore discontent and angre
... And the lorde sayde/ thou hast compassion on a wild vine/ wheron thou bestoweddest
no labourener madest it growe/ which sprange vp in one night and perished...
The History of Solomon
... First on Joab that had been prince of his father's host, because he slew two good
men by treason and guile, that was Abner the son ofNer, and Amasa the son of...
CM "O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing. "
... 4 He breaks the power of cancell'd sin; He sets the pris'ner free; His blood
can make the foulest clean; His blood avail'd for me....
The Bright Dawn of a Reign
... and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have
anointed me king over them.8. But Abner the son ofNer, captain of Saul's host...
Thesaurus
Ner (17 Occurrences)... 1 Samuel 14:51 should be read, "Kish, the father of Saul, and
Ner, the father of
Abner, were the sons of Abiel." And hence this Kish and
Ner were brothers, and
...Ner'gal-share'zer (2 Occurrences)
Ner'gal-share'zer. Nergal-sharezer,Ner'gal-share'zer. Nergal-shar-ezer .
Multi-Version ConcordanceNer'gal-share'zer (2 Occurrences)....
Kish (18 Occurrences)
... According to 1 Chronicles 8:33 and 9:39, "Ner begat Kish" By reading "Ner begat
Abner" (compare 1 Samuel 14:51 1 Chronicles 6:28), the difficulty is at least...
Abner (54 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Father of light; ie, "enlightening", the son of
Ner and uncle of Saul. He was commander-in-chief of Saul's...
Candle (16 Occurrences)
... Hebrewsner, Job 18:6; 29:3; Psalm 18:28; Proverbs 24:20, in all which places the
Revised Version and margin of Authorized Version have "lamp," by which the...
Abiel (4 Occurrences)
... Father (ie, "possessor") of God = "pious.". (1.) The son of Zeror and father of
Ner, who was the grandfather of Saul (1 Samuel 14:51; 1 Chronicles 8:33; 9:39)....
Saul's (79 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 14:50 and the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz.
The name of the captain of his army was Abner the son ofNer, Saul's uncle....
Jether (8 Occurrences)
... 5 "Moreover you know also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, even what he did
to the two captains of the armies of Israel, to Abner the son ofNer, and to...
Lampstand (38 Occurrences)
... lamp'-stand (nir,ner, lappidh, Phoenician lampadh, whence lampas; luchnos is also
used):Ner or nir is properly "light" or "a light-giving thing," hence, "lamp...
Lamp (45 Occurrences)
... lamp'-stand (nir,ner, lappidh, Phoenician lampadh, whence lampas; luchnos is also
used):Ner or nir is properly "light" or "a light-giving thing," hence, "lamp...
Resources
What does the Bible say about nepotism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the story of David and Ish-Bosheth? | GotQuestions.orgNer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
