"So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Michal Meaning in the Bible
Michal
girl
Michal means "Who is like God?; Brook", a girl's name of Hebrew origin. Michal appears in the King James Bible, and 1 Samuel 19:12 is the passage most often tied to it. Michal's story contrasts courageous loyalty with proud contempt for worship. Her journey warns that love without reverence for God's work can calcify into bitterness — and that despising authentic worship comes at great cost.
Is Michal in the Bible?
Yes — Michal appears in the King James Bible, including 1 Samuel 19:12.
Pronunciation:/MY-kal/
OriginHebrew
MeaningWho is like God?; Brook
What does Michal mean?
Michal is a girl name of Hebrew origin meaning "Who is like God?; Brook". Michal means "who is like God?" in Hebrew. She was the younger daughter of King Saul and David's first wife.
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What does Michal mean in the Bible?
Michal means "Who is like God?; Brook" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Michal means "who is like God?" in Hebrew. She was the younger daughter of King Saul and David's first wife. Michal loved David and helped him escape from Saul's assassination attempt by lowering him through a window and placing a household idol in his bed to deceive the soldiers.
Despite this brave act of loyalty, Michal's relationship with David deteriorated over time. When David danced before the LORD with all his might as the ark of the covenant entered Jerusalem, Michal "despised him in her heart" and rebuked him for behaving in what she considered an undignified manner.
David's response — "I will play before the LORD, who chose me above thy father" — marked the end of their relationship. The text notes that Michal had no children, and she disappears from the narrative. Her story warns against allowing pride and social consciousness to hinder authentic worship.
Where does Michal appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Michal is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with 1 Samuel 19:12. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart."
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What are the variants and nicknames of Michal?
Michal has 1 recorded variant, short form, and translation across languages and biblical traditions.
Variants & related forms
Which books of the Bible mention Michal?
Michal is mentioned across 2 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Michal?
Michal's story contrasts courageous loyalty with proud contempt for worship. Her journey warns that love without reverence for God's work can calcify into bitterness — and that despising authentic worship comes at great cost.
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What names are related to Michal?
Names like Michal
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Who is like God?; Brook" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Michal
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Michal
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Michal name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Michal appears in the King James Bible, including 1 Samuel 19:12.
Michal means "Who is like God?; Brook." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in 1 Samuel 19:12, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Michal comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "Who is like God?; Brook." It appears in the King James Bible, including 1 Samuel 19:12.
Common questions about the name Michal
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Michal?
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 Michal?
You can read every verse where Michal 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.