Original Word: אֲבִיגַיִל
Part of Speech: Proper Name Feminine
Transliteration: Abiygayil
Pronunciation: ah-bee-gah-yeel
Phonetic Spelling: (ab-ee-gah'-yil)
KJV: Abigal
NASB: Abigail
Word Origin: [from H1 (אָב - father) and H1524 (גִּיל - To rejoice)]

1. father (i.e. source) of joy
2. Abigail or Abigal, the name of two Israelitesses

Abigal

Or shorter Abiygal {ab-ee-gal'}; from 'ab and giyl; father (i.e. Source) of joy; Abigail or Abigal, the name of two Israelitesses -- Abigal.

see HEBREW 'ab

see HEBREW giyl

Word Origin
from ab and gil
Definition
"my father is joy," two Isr. women
NASB Translation
Abigail (17).

אֲבִיגַ֫יִל proper name, feminine (my father is joy (?) originally אבגל? (אֲבִגֵל? compare ᵑ0 below & Nö^{ZMG 1883, 537 Anm2}).

1 wife of Nabal, then of David 1 Samuel 25:14,23,39,40,42; 1 Samuel 27:3; 1 Samuel 30:5; 2 Samuel 2:2; 1 Chronicles 3:1; = אֲבִגַיִל 1 Samuel 25:3,36 אֲבִו֯גַיִל 1 Samuel 25:18, אֲבִיגָל֑ 1 Samuel 25:32, אֲבִיגַ֯לִ 2 Samuel 3:3.

2 sister of David 1 Chronicles 2:16,17 = אֲבִיגַל 2 Samuel 17:25.

אבוגיל Kt 2Sam 25:18 see אֲבִיגַיִל below II. אבה.

Identity and Distribution in Scripture

The name אֲבִיגַיִל, Abigail, appears seventeen times, referring to two distinct women. Eleven references describe the Carmelites’ Abigail who first married Nabal and afterward King David (1 Samuel 25; 1 Samuel 27:3; 1 Samuel 30:5; 2 Samuel 2:2; 2 Samuel 3:3). The remaining six pertain to Abigail the sister of David, mother of Amasa (2 Samuel 17:25; 1 Chronicles 2:16–17; 1 Chronicles 3:1). Both women are portrayed favorably and play strategic roles in Israel’s royal narrative.

Historical Setting

Abigail of Carmel lived during David’s wilderness years when Saul’s hostility made David a fugitive. Her decisive actions occurred in the Judean hill country, in proximity to Philistine incursions and Israelite tribal tensions. The second Abigail belonged to Jesse’s family in Bethlehem, a Judahite clan that would furnish Israel’s dynasty and, ultimately, the Messiah.

Character Study: Abigail, Wife of Nabal and David

1. Moral Contrast with Nabal
• Scripture introduces the couple succinctly: “The woman was intelligent and beautiful, but the man, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings” (1 Samuel 25:3). Abigail’s godly prudence stands against Nabal’s folly, prefiguring Proverbs’ contrast between wisdom and folly.
2. Diplomatic Intervention
• When Nabal spurns David’s men, David vows retribution. Abigail, “hurried and took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine” and more (1 Samuel 25:18), personally intercepts David. Her speech (1 Samuel 25:23–31) combines humility—“On me alone, my lord, be the guilt”—with prophetic foresight—“the LORD will certainly make a lasting dynasty for my lord” (verse 28). She appeals to God’s covenant purposes, turning David from bloodguilt.
3. Theological Impact
• David testifies, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you to meet me this day!” (1 Samuel 25:32). Abigail becomes an instrument of divine restraint, illustrating how God governs believers’ passions through wise counsel.
4. Transition to Royal Household
• After Nabal’s death, David invites Abigail to become his wife (1 Samuel 25:39–42). She bears him a son, Chileab (also called Daniel, 2 Samuel 3:3), whose unobtrusive life underscores David’s growing but complicated household. Abigail thus links David’s fugitive period with the consolidation of his kingdom.

Spiritual Lessons from Abigail’s Intercession

• Peacemaking: Abigail exemplifies Matthew 5:9 centuries before Christ, pursuing reconciliation at personal risk.
• Wisdom under pressure: Her rapid discernment reflects James 3:17 wisdom—pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason.
• God’s providence: The narrative affirms that God can avert sin in His servants by raising voices of wisdom at critical moments.

Abigail, Sister of David

She is listed with David’s brothers in 1 Chronicles 2:16. Her marriage to Jether (or Ithra) the Ishmaelite produced Amasa, later commander of Absalom’s army (2 Samuel 17:25) and, after Joab’s removal, of David’s forces (2 Samuel 19:13). Through her, the chronicler traces complex loyalties during Absalom’s rebellion, reminding readers that family ties do not guarantee fidelity to covenantal kingship. Her inclusion signals the breadth of David’s family influence in Judah and beyond.

Role in Redemptive History

The Carmel Abigail’s reference to David’s “lasting dynasty” anticipates the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7). By acknowledging God’s sovereign election of David before it was formally announced, she prophetically aligns herself with the messianic promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The sister Abigail extends the narrative into the divided loyalties that Jesus, the greater Son of David, would ultimately reconcile.

Abigail in Jewish and Christian Memory

Jewish tradition lauds Abigail among Scripture’s “seven prophetesses.” Early Christian writers cited her prudence to illustrate the Church as a wise bride advising a sinful world. Reformers appealed to her example when discussing just resistance to tyranny, noting her balance of submission to Nabal and allegiance to God’s anointed.

Ministry Applications

• Counseling and Mediation: Abigail models godly confrontation—respectful, Scripture-saturated, redemptive in aim.
• Women in Leadership: Without formal office, she exercises spiritual authority that shapes national destiny, encouraging modern ministry to recognize and cultivate women’s gifts.
• Ethical Decision-Making: Her use of resources and timing demonstrates stewardship and readiness, urging believers to prepare sacrificially for peacemaking opportunities.

Key References for Further Study

1 Samuel 25; 1 Samuel 27:3; 1 Samuel 30:5

2 Samuel 2:2; 2 Samuel 3:3; 2 Samuel 17:25

1 Chronicles 2:16–17; 1 Chronicles 3:1

אֲבִגָ֑יִל אֲבִיגַ֖יִל אֲבִיגַ֗יִל אֲבִיגַ֙יִל֙ אֲבִיגַ֡יִל אֲבִיגַ֣יִל ׀ אֲבִיגַ֣ל אבגיל אביגיל אביגל בַּאֲבִיגַ֔יִל באביגיל וְלַאֲבִיגַ֙יִל֙ וַאֲבִיגַ֕יִל וַאֲבִיגַ֥יִל וַאֲבִיגָ֑יִל ואביגיל ולאביגיל לַאֲֽבִיגַ֕יִל לַאֲבִיגַ֑ל לַאֲבִיגַ֖יִל לאביגיל לאביגל ’ă·ḇi·ḡā·yil ’ă·ḇî·ḡa·yil ’ă·ḇî·ḡal ’ăḇîḡal ’ăḇiḡāyil ’ăḇîḡayil aviGal aviGayil ba’ăḇîḡayil ba·’ă·ḇî·ḡa·yil baaviGayil la’ăḇîḡal la’ăḇîḡayil la·’ă·ḇî·ḡa·yil la·’ă·ḇî·ḡal laaviGal laaviGayil vaaviGayil velaaviGayil wa’ăḇîḡayil wa’ăḇîḡāyil wa·’ă·ḇî·ḡa·yil wa·’ă·ḇî·ḡā·yil wə·la·’ă·ḇî·ḡa·yil wəla’ăḇîḡayilInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts