"Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Nabal Meaning in the Bible
Nabal
boy
Nabal means "Fool; Senseless", a boy's name of Hebrew origin. Nabal appears in the King James Bible, and 1 Samuel 25:25 is the passage most often tied to it. Nabal's story is a sobering reminder that foolishness and arrogance have real consequences. His example warns us against the pride that refuses to show gratitude or generosity to those who deserve it.
Is Nabal in the Bible?
Yes — Nabal appears in the King James Bible, including 1 Samuel 25:25.
Pronunciation:/NAY-bal/
OriginHebrew
MeaningFool; Senseless
What does Nabal mean?
Nabal is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "Fool; Senseless". Nabal means "fool" in Hebrew — and his wife Abigail confirmed it: "As his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him" (1 Samuel 25:25).
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What does Nabal mean in the Bible?
Nabal means "Fool; Senseless" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Nabal means "fool" in Hebrew — and his wife Abigail confirmed it: "As his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him" (1 Samuel 25:25). He was a wealthy rancher in Carmel whose churlish behavior nearly brought destruction on his entire household.
When David and his men, who had been protecting Nabal's shepherds, asked for provisions, Nabal insulted David and refused. David responded by arming 400 men for revenge. Only Abigail's quick thinking and diplomatic intervention prevented a massacre.
Ten days later, God struck Nabal and he died. His story serves as a biblical warning about the consequences of foolishness, ingratitude, and arrogance. The contrast between Nabal's folly and Abigail's wisdom makes both characters more vivid.
Where does Nabal appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Nabal is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with 1 Samuel 25:25. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And it came to pass about ten days after, that the LORD smote Nabal, that he died."
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Which books of the Bible mention Nabal?
Nabal is mentioned across 1 book of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Nabal?
Nabal's story is a sobering reminder that foolishness and arrogance have real consequences. His example warns us against the pride that refuses to show gratitude or generosity to those who deserve it.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Nabal:
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Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Word Meaning
Fool (נָבָל (Nabal))
A fool — one who is morally senseless and lives as though God does not exist.
Strong's
Strong's H5036 — Fool
נָבָל (Nabal) • A fool — one who is morally senseless and lives as though God does not exist.
Word Meaning
Strength (עֹז (oz))
Mighty power, boldness, and refuge — the force that sustains and protects God's people.
Strong's
Strong's H5797 — Strength
עֹז (oz) • Mighty power, boldness, and refuge — the force that sustains and protects God's people.
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Bible Verses About Strength
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Bible Verses About Strength in Weakness
10 curated KJV verses
What names are related to Nabal?
Names like Nabal
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Fool; Senseless" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Nabal
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Nabal
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Nabal name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Nabal appears in the King James Bible, including 1 Samuel 25:25.
Nabal means "Fool; Senseless." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in 1 Samuel 25:25, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Nabal comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "Fool; Senseless." It appears in the King James Bible, including 1 Samuel 25:25.
Common questions about the name Nabal
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Nabal?
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 Nabal?
You can read every verse where Nabal 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.