"Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Abishai Meaning in the Bible
Abishai
boy
Abishai means "Father of a gift; My father is Jesse", a boy's name of Hebrew origin. Abishai appears in the King James Bible, and 1 Samuel 26:8 is the passage most often tied to it. Abishai — fiercely loyal but sometimes reckless — teaches that courage is most valuable when guided by wisdom. His relationship with David shows that even the bravest warriors need a steadying voice.
Is Abishai in the Bible?
Yes — Abishai appears in the King James Bible, including 1 Samuel 26:8.
Pronunciation:/uh-BISH-eye/
OriginHebrew
MeaningFather of a gift; My father is Jesse
What does Abishai mean?
Abishai is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "Father of a gift; My father is Jesse". Abishai means "father of a gift" or "my father is Jesse" in Hebrew. He was the son of Zeruiah (David's sister) and the brother of Joab and Asahel — making him David's nephew and one of the most loyal warriors in David's army.
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What does Abishai mean in the Bible?
Abishai means "Father of a gift; My father is Jesse" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Abishai means "father of a gift" or "my father is Jesse" in Hebrew. He was the son of Zeruiah (David's sister) and the brother of Joab and Asahel — making him David's nephew and one of the most loyal warriors in David's army.
Abishai was fierce in his loyalty to David. When Saul was pursuing David, Abishai volunteered to sneak into Saul's camp and kill the sleeping king. David refused, saying "Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD's anointed, and be guiltless?" Abishai's willingness revealed both his courage and his need for David's restraining wisdom.
In battle, Abishai was extraordinary. He once killed 300 men with his spear in a single engagement. He rescued David from a Philistine giant, leading David's men to insist the king no longer fight personally: "Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel."
Abishai represents the warrior whose fierce loyalty sometimes outpaced his judgment. His story illustrates that zeal for a righteous cause must be tempered by wisdom — that courage without restraint can create as many problems as it solves.
Where does Abishai appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Abishai is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with 1 Samuel 26:8. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them."
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What are the variants and nicknames of Abishai?
Abishai has 1 recorded variant, short form, and translation across languages and biblical traditions.
Variants & related forms
Which books of the Bible mention Abishai?
Abishai is mentioned across 3 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Abishai?
Abishai — fiercely loyal but sometimes reckless — teaches that courage is most valuable when guided by wisdom. His relationship with David shows that even the bravest warriors need a steadying voice.
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Promises connected to the meaning of the name Abishai:
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What names are related to Abishai?
Names like Abishai
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Father of a gift; My father is Jesse" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Abishai
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Abishai
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Abishai name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Abishai appears in the King James Bible, including 1 Samuel 26:8.
Abishai means "Father of a gift; My father is Jesse." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in 1 Samuel 26:8, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Abishai comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "Father of a gift; My father is Jesse." It appears in the King James Bible, including 1 Samuel 26:8.
Common questions about the name Abishai
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Abishai?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Abishai?
You can read every verse where Abishai appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.