Abital (Avital)

Minor Spiritwell-documentedBiblical Hebrew onomasticsModern Hebrew namingAncient IsraelModern Israel / Hebrew-speaking communities

Abital (Hebrew Ab'ital / Avital) is a Hebrew personal name attested in the Old Testament as one of King David's wives and in modern Hebrew as a given name. The name literally evokes dew (tal) combined with av/avi (father/my father) and functions in sources as an onomastic item rather than a supernatural being.

Origin

The name appears in biblical genealogical records: Abital is listed as one of King David's wives and the mother of Shephatiah during David's reign in Hebron (see 2 Samuel 3:4; 1 Chronicles 3:3 as cited in standard biblical encyclopedias). Etymologically the name is formed from Hebrew elements av/avi ('father'/'my father') and tal ('dew'), yielding glosses given in reference works such as 'father of dew' or 'my father is dew'. Modern sources treat Avital/Abital as a Hebrew given name of Old Testament origin, traditionally feminine and in contemporary usage often unisex.

Appearance

There is no physical or supernatural description in the cited sources. The only 'appearance' in primary material is genealogical: the name identifies a woman in David's household, a wife who bore a son (Shephatiah). Modern cultural appearances are as a personal name borne by individuals and fictional characters.

Abilities

No supernatural powers or behaviors are attributed to Abital in the provided sources. References confine the term to onomastic meaning, biblical genealogical placement, and modern name usage; any actions recorded are those of a historical/biblical wife and mother rather than feats or behaviors of a spirit or creature.

Community Record

Sources
  1. [1]
    Abital (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia). International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, entry 'Abital' (ab'-i-tal, a-bi'-tal, abhiTal).academic
  2. [2]
    Abital - Biblical Cyclopedia. Biblical Cyclopedia, entry 'Ab'ital, Abital' (father of dew ... the fifth wife of David).academic
  3. [3]
    Avital (name) — Wikipedia. Wikipedia: Avital (name), summary of origin and modern usage.wiki
  4. [4]
    Abital — Abarim Publications (name meaning and etymology). Abarim Publications, 'Abital' entry discussing Hebrew form and meaning ('father of dew').other
  5. [5]
    Abital (Easton's Bible Dictionary). Easton's Bible Dictionary, entry 'Abital' summarizing biblical reference (wife of David).academic
  6. [6]
    a.vi.tal (H0037) — Abital — Anselm Lexicon. Anselm Lexicon entry for Hebrew root/word form associated with Abital.academic
  7. [7]
    The Good Lie — film (uses the name Abital). Wikipedia summary referencing a character named Abital in the film 'The Good Lie' (modern cultural usage of the name).wiki
  8. [8]
    Abital - Numeroscop name entry. Numeroscop modern name-meaning and popularity entry for 'Abital'.other
well-documented