Bible Dictionaries
Abijah

Holman Bible Dictionary

OR ABIJAM (uh bi' jah) Personal name meaning, “my Father is Yahweh.” 1. Second son of Samuel whose crooked acts as judge led Israel to demand a king (1 Samuel 8:2-5).2 . Son of Jeroboam, first king of the Northern Kingdom Israel. Abijah died according to prophecy of Ahijah (1 Kings 14:1-18).3 . Son of Rehoboam and second king of divided Southern Kingdom of Judah (915-913), called Abijam in 1 Kings 15:1 , a name meaning, “my father is Yam” (or sea), possibly a reference to Canaanite god. Abijah was his father's favorite son (2 Chronicles 11:22 ). Abijah followed the sins of Rehoboam (1 Kings 15:3 ) but still maintained proper worship in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 13:10 ), and God gave him victory over Jeroboam of Israel (2 Chronicles 13:15-20 ). Abijah was remembered for his large family (2 Chronicles 13:21 ). He is listed in the ancestors of Jesus (Matthew 1:7 ). 4 . Wife of Hezron connected with genealogy of Caleb in a text whose meaning is not clear (1 Chronicles 2:24 ). 5 . A grandson of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 7:8 ). 6 . A priestly descendant of Aaron (1 Chronicles 24:10 ). 7 . A priest under Nehemiah who signed a covenant to obey God's law (Nehemiah 10:7 ). 8 . A leading priest in the days of the return from Exile (Nehemiah 12:4 ), and then a priestly house (Nehemiah 12:17 ) to which Zechariah, father of John the Baptist, belonged (Luke 1:5 ). 9 . Mother of King Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29:1 ) and thus a powerful political influence. See Abia , Abiah .