"But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Ahab Meaning in the Bible
Ahab
boy
Ahab means "Brother of the father; Father's brother", a boy's name of Hebrew origin. Ahab appears in the King James Bible, and 1 Kings 21:25 is the passage most often tied to it. Ahab — a king who knew right from wrong yet consistently chose wrong — warns that influence matters. His marriage to Jezebel dragged an entire nation into idolatry. Our closest relationships shape our deepest choices.
Is Ahab in the Bible?
Yes — Ahab appears in the King James Bible, including 1 Kings 21:25.
Pronunciation:/AY-hab/
OriginHebrew
MeaningBrother of the father; Father's brother
What does Ahab mean?
Ahab is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "Brother of the father; Father's brother". Ahab means "brother of the father" in Hebrew. He was the seventh king of Israel and is remembered as one of the most evil — yet also one of the most complex — rulers in biblical history.
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What does Ahab mean in the Bible?
Ahab means "Brother of the father; Father's brother" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Ahab means "brother of the father" in Hebrew. He was the seventh king of Israel and is remembered as one of the most evil — yet also one of the most complex — rulers in biblical history.
Ahab married Jezebel, the Phoenician princess who brought Baal worship to Israel with aggressive determination. Together they built a temple to Baal in Samaria and persecuted the prophets of the LORD. Elijah's confrontation with Ahab and the 450 prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel is one of Scripture's most dramatic scenes.
Yet Ahab was more than a simple villain. He was a capable military leader who built cities and won significant battles. When Elijah prophesied judgment after the murder of Naboth for his vineyard, Ahab "rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly." God acknowledged this repentance and delayed the judgment.
Ahab died in battle at Ramoth-Gilead, exactly as the prophet Micaiah had foretold. Dogs licked his blood from his chariot, fulfilling Elijah's earlier prophecy. His story demonstrates that even genuine moments of repentance cannot substitute for a lifetime of faithful obedience.
Where does Ahab appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Ahab is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with 1 Kings 21:25. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted."
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Which books of the Bible mention Ahab?
Ahab is mentioned across 4 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Ahab?
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What names are related to Ahab?
Names like Ahab
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Brother of the father; Father's brother" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Ahab
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Ahab
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Ahab name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Ahab appears in the King James Bible, including 1 Kings 21:25.
Ahab means "Brother of the father; Father's brother." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in 1 Kings 21:25, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Ahab comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "Brother of the father; Father's brother." It appears in the King James Bible, including 1 Kings 21:25.
Common questions about the name Ahab
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Ahab?
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 Ahab?
You can read every verse where Ahab 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.