Original Word: אֲבִיהוּד
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Abiyhuwd
Pronunciation: a-vee-HOOD
Phonetic Spelling: (ab-ee-hood')
KJV: Abihud
NASB: Abihud
Word Origin: [from H1 (אָב - father) and H1935 (הוֹד - splendor)]

1. father (i.e. possessor) of renown
2. Abihud, the name of two Israelites

Abihud

From 'ab and howd; father (i.e. Possessor) of renown; Abihud, the name of two Israelites -- Abihud.

see HEBREW 'ab

see HEBREW howd

Word Origin
from ab and hod
Definition
"my father is majesty," a Benjamite
NASB Translation
Abihud (1).

אֲבִיהוּד proper name, masculine (my father is majesty, compare הוֺד, עַמִּיהוּד) son of Bela, a Benjamite 1 Chronicles 8:3.

Biblical Occurrence and Context

Abihud is mentioned once in the Hebrew Scriptures, in the genealogy of Benjamin recorded in 1 Chronicles 8:3. Scripture states, “The sons of Bela were: Addar, Gera, Abihud” (Berean Standard Bible). This places Abihud as a grandson of Benjamin through Benjamin’s firstborn, Bela. The Chronicler situates the name within a larger survey of Benjaminite clans that re-established their identities after the exile (1 Chronicles 8:1-40), affirming continuity between the pre-exilic and post-exilic community.

Genealogical Significance within Benjamin

1. Preservation of Tribal Identity
• The genealogy of Benjamin served to reaffirm covenant membership after the return from Babylon. Each listed descendant, including Abihud, functioned as a legal witness to God’s faithfulness in keeping a remnant (Ezra 2:1; Nehemiah 7:7).
• By inserting lesser-known figures such as Abihud, Scripture underscores that every family, not only the more celebrated houses of Saul or Jonathan, had a place in Israel’s redemptive history.

2. Connection to Israel’s First Monarchy
• The line of Bela was foundational to the tribe that produced King Saul (1 Chronicles 8:33). Although Abihud himself is not recorded as wielding royal or military influence, his position in Bela’s pedigree broadens the Benjaminite heritage beyond its royal branch, again demonstrating that God works through both prominent and obscure descendants.

Historical and Ministry Insights

1. Faithfulness in Obscurity
• Abihud’s single appearance reminds readers that prominence in Scripture is not the measure of worth before God. Ministries and believers who serve without public notice mirror Abihud’s quiet yet essential role in the covenant community (1 Corinthians 12:22-24).

2. Continuity of the Covenant Line
• Chronicles was written to encourage post-exilic Israel that the covenant promises continued unabated. Abihud helps certify the unbroken lineage of Benjamin, echoing God’s assurance: “I will never break My covenant with you” (Judges 2:1).

3. Foreshadowing of Christ’s Inclusive Genealogy
• While Abihud of Benjamin is distinct from the Abiud found in Matthew 1:13 (a descendant of David through Zerubbabel), both names appear in genealogical contexts that lead ultimately to the Messiah. Their juxtaposition in Scripture highlights the wide tapestry of families God wove together to bring forth His Son, reinforcing Paul’s later declaration that “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29).

Applications for Contemporary Believers

• Value Every Member: Church leaders and congregations should honor every participant, recognizing that hidden but faithful individuals—modern-day “Abihuds”—anchor the ministry’s longevity.
• Record God’s Faithfulness: Just as Chronicles preserved genealogies, believers are encouraged to testify to God’s ongoing work in their own family histories, strengthening future generations (Psalm 78:4-7).
• Trust Divine Providence: The appearance of seemingly minor figures in the Scriptural record reinforces confidence that God orchestrates all details, both great and small, toward His sovereign purposes (Ephesians 1:11).

Abihud’s brief mention therefore becomes a testament to the meticulous care with which God remembers His people and fulfills His promises through every generation.

וַאֲבִיהֽוּד׃ ואביהוד׃ vaaviHud wa’ăḇîhūḏ wa·’ă·ḇî·hūḏInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts