Original Word: אֲחִימַעַץ
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Achiyma`ats
Pronunciation: a-khee-mah'-ats
Phonetic Spelling: (akh-ee-mah'-ats)
KJV: Ahimaaz
NASB: Ahimaaz
Word Origin: [from H251 (אָח - brother) and the equivalent of H4619 (מַעַץ - Maaz)]

1. brother of anger
2. Achimaats, the name of three Israelites

Ahimaaz

From 'ach and the equivalent of Ma'ats; brother of anger; Achimaats, the name of three Israelites -- Ahimaaz.

see HEBREW 'ach

see HEBREW Ma'ats

Word Origin
from ach and the equiv. of Maats
Definition
"my brother is wrath," two Isr.
NASB Translation
Ahimaaz (15).

אֲחִימַ֫עַץ proper name, masculine (my brother is wrath)

1 son of Zadok 2 Samuel 15:27,36; 2 Samuel 17:17,20; 2 Samuel 18:19,22,23,27,28,29; 1 Chronicles 5:34 (אֲחִימָ֑עַץ v.1 Chronicles 6:35; 1 Chronicles 6:38; perhaps also 1 Kings 4:15 (son-in-law of Solomon)

2 אֲחִימָ֑עַץ, father-in-law of Saul 1 Samuel 14:50.

מעץ (√ of following; perhaps = be wrathful, compare Arabic be enraged; compare also

proper name, masculine אֲחִימַעַץ, above).

Occurrences and Persons

The Old Testament records three distinct men named Ahimaaz, appearing a total of fifteen times:

1. Father of Ahinoam, wife of King Saul (1 Samuel 14:50).
2. Son of Zadok the priest—active during the reign of King David and listed in the high-priestly genealogy (2 Samuel 15–18; 1 Chronicles 6:8-9, 53).
3. Solomon’s district governor in Naphtali who married Basemath, a daughter of Solomon (1 Kings 4:15).

Ahimaaz Son of Zadok: Loyal Priest and Swift Messenger

The narrative core centers on Zadok’s son. When Absalom rebelled, David entrusted sensitive intelligence to “Zadok and Abiathar the priests, with you are their two sons, Ahimaaz and Jonathan” (2 Samuel 15:27). These four formed an underground network that relayed information from Jerusalem to David’s camp across the Jordan (15:36; 17:17-21). Ahimaaz’s courage is evident when he hid in a well to evade Absalom’s servants (17:18-20).

After Joab struck down Absalom, Ahimaaz begged to carry the news: “Let me run and tell the king” (18:19). Though Joab feared his report might displease David, Ahimaaz outran the Cushite courier and reached Mahanaim first (18:23). “The king said, ‘He is a good man and comes with good news’” (18:27). His tact in announcing the victory while sparing David’s feelings concerning Absalom (18:28-29) shows pastoral sensitivity as well as military discipline.

Priestly Succession and Genealogical Significance

1 Chronicles affirms that Ahimaaz succeeded Zadok in the high-priestly line: “Zadok was the father of Ahimaaz, Ahimaaz was the father of Azariah” (1 Chronicles 6:8-9). The same genealogy is repeated in verse 53, linking him to Aaron. Because Azariah later served “in the house that Solomon built in Jerusalem” (6:10), Ahimaaz likely ministered during the transition from David’s tent worship to the Temple era, ensuring continuity of priestly oversight.

Administrative Ahimaaz of Naphtali

During Solomon’s reign, an Ahimaaz governed the tribal district of Naphtali and “had married Basemath the daughter of Solomon” (1 Kings 4:15). Whether this is the same man as Zadok’s son is debated; the chronological data allow the possibility that the faithful messenger rose to civil prominence and became Solomon’s son-in-law. If a different individual, the recurrence of the name within priestly-royal circles still points to an honored family legacy.

Father of Ahinoam

The earliest appearance of the name is in the description of King Saul’s household: “The name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz” (1 Samuel 14:50). Though the text gives no more detail, his daughter’s marriage into the royal family suggests standing among Israel’s leadership even before the monarchy was fully stabilized.

Theological and Ministry Insights

Loyalty to the Anointed. Ahimaaz risked his life for David, the Lord’s chosen king, modeling allegiance to God’s revealed plan even when the political tide favored Absalom.

Integrity in Communication. By tempering his message about Absalom, he exemplified “speaking the truth in love”—balancing factual accuracy with compassionate concern.

Swift Obedience. His eagerness to run (2 Samuel 18:22-23) illustrates prompt service; believers are likewise called to “run in the path of Your commandments.”

Intercessory Role. As priest and messenger, Ahimaaz stood between king and people, foreshadowing the ultimate Mediator who combines priestly intercession with the proclamation of good news.

Legacy

Ahimaaz’s name is tied to crisis management, covenant faithfulness, and generational continuity in both priestly and civic spheres. From the hills of Jerusalem to the plains of Mahanaim, his footsteps echo the principle that God preserves His kingdom purposes through faithful servants who combine courage, discretion, and devotion.

אֲחִימַ֖עַץ אֲחִימַ֗עַץ אֲחִימַ֙עַץ֙ אֲחִימַ֡עַץ אֲחִימַ֣עַץ אֲחִימַ֤עַץ אֲחִימַ֥עַץ אֲחִימָ֑עַץ אֲחִימָֽעַץ׃ אחימעץ אחימעץ׃ וַאֲחִימַ֙עַץ֙ וַאֲחִימַ֜עַץ וַאֲחִימַ֤עַץ וַאֲחִימַ֨עַץ ואחימעץ ’ă·ḥî·ma·‘aṣ ’ă·ḥî·mā·‘aṣ ’ăḥîma‘aṣ ’ăḥîmā‘aṣ achiMaatz vaachiMaatz wa’ăḥîma‘aṣ wa·’ă·ḥî·ma·‘aṣInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts