Who was Abijah in the bible?

Abijah is a biblical name borne by multiple people: “several Israelite men and two Israelitesses” (lexicon identity gloss). In the passages provided, Abijah refers to a woman in a genealogy, multiple men in genealogies and lists, and a king of Judah who fought Jeroboam.

Abijah in Scripture

1) Abijah, wife of Hezron

“After Hezron died in Caleb Ephrathah, Abijah Hezron’s wife bore him Ashhur the father of Tekoa.” (1 Chronicles 2:24)

This Abijah is identified as “Hezron’s wife” and as the mother of Ashhur.

2) Abijah, in the royal line

“Solomon’s son was Rehoboam, Abijah his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son,” (1 Chronicles 3:10)

Here Abijah appears in a genealogy: he is named as Rehoboam’s son, and Asa is named as Abijah’s son.

3) Abijah, son of Samuel; judge in Beersheba

“The sons of Samuel: the firstborn, Joel, and the second, Abijah.” (1 Chronicles 6:28)

“Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.” (1 Samuel 8:2)

Two passages name Abijah as Samuel’s second son, alongside Joel. The account in 1 Samuel adds that Joel and Abijah “were judges in Beersheba.”

4) Abijah, a son of Becher

“The sons of Becher: Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth. All these were the sons of Becher.” (1 Chronicles 7:8)

In this list, Abijah is one of Becher’s sons, named among his brothers.

5) Abijah, a priestly division

“the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,” (1 Chronicles 24:10)

Abijah is named in the ordering of priestly divisions, specifically as “the eighth” in sequence.

6) Abijah, son of Maacah; king after Rehoboam

In Chronicles, Abijah is also the name of a son of Rehoboam by Maacah, appointed as chief among his brothers and later reigning in Judah.

“After her, he took Maacah the daughter of Absalom; and she bore him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith.” (2 Chronicles 11:20)

“Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maacah to be chief, the prince among his brothers; for he intended to make him king.” (2 Chronicles 11:22)

“Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in David’s city; and Abijah his son reigned in his place.” (2 Chronicles 12:16)

Abijah’s reign is then narrated at length in 2 Chronicles 13, which frames his conflict with Jeroboam and includes his speech and the battle’s outcome.

“In the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam, Abijah began to reign over Judah.” (2 Chronicles 13:1)

“He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Micaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.” (2 Chronicles 13:2)

These verses set the scene: Abijah reigns in Judah for three years in Jerusalem. His mother is named as “Micaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah,” and his reign includes “war between Abijah and Jeroboam.”

The chapter describes the armies drawn up for battle and introduces Abijah’s address to Jeroboam and “all Israel.”

“Abijah joined battle with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men; and Jeroboam set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, who were mighty men of valor.” (2 Chronicles 13:3)

“Abijah stood up on Mount Zemaraim, which is in the hill country of Ephraim, and said, “Hear me, Jeroboam and all Israel:”” (2 Chronicles 13:4)

From Mount Zemaraim, Abijah’s speech presents his understanding of the kingdom and worship. He claims a divine grant of kingship to David and his sons, charges Jeroboam with rebellion, and contrasts the religious practices of Judah and Jeroboam’s kingdom.

“Ought you not to know that Yahweh, the God of Israel, gave the kingdom over Israel to David forever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?” (2 Chronicles 13:5)

“Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, rose up, and rebelled against his lord.” (2 Chronicles 13:6)

“Worthless men were gathered to him, wicked fellows who strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and tender hearted, and could not withstand them.” (2 Chronicles 13:7)

“Now you intend to withstand the kingdom of Yahweh in the hand of the sons of David. You are a great multitude, and the golden calves which Jeroboam made you for gods are with you.” (2 Chronicles 13:8)

“Haven’t you driven out the priests of Yahweh, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and made priests for yourselves according to the ways of the peoples of other lands? Whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams may be a priest of those who are no gods.” (2 Chronicles 13:9)

“But as for us, Yahweh is our God, and we have not forsaken him. We have priests serving Yahweh, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites in their work;” (2 Chronicles 13:10)

“and they burn to Yahweh every morning and every evening burnt offerings and sweet incense. They also set the show bread in order on the pure table; and the lamp stand of gold with its lamps, to burn every evening; for we keep the instruction of Yahweh our God, but you have forsaken him.” (2 Chronicles 13:11)

“Behold, God is with us at our head, and his priests with the trumpets of alarm to sound an alarm against you. Children of Israel, don’t fight against Yahweh, the God of your fathers; for you will not prosper.” (2 Chronicles 13:12)

The battle narrative then emphasizes a tactical move by Jeroboam and Judah’s response: Judah finds itself attacked from the front and rear, “cried to Yahweh,” and the priests sound trumpets. The text attributes the outcome to God’s action.

“But Jeroboam caused an ambush to come about behind them; so they were before Judah, and the ambush was behind them.” (2 Chronicles 13:13)

“When Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind them; and they cried to Yahweh, and the priests sounded with the trumpets.” (2 Chronicles 13:14)

“Then the men of Judah gave a shout. As the men of Judah shouted, God struck Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.” (2 Chronicles 13:15)

“The children of Israel fled before Judah, and God delivered them into their hand.” (2 Chronicles 13:16)

“Abijah and his people killed them with a great slaughter, so five hundred thousand chosen men of Israel fell down slain.” (2 Chronicles 13:17)

“Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied on Yahweh, the God of their fathers.” (2 Chronicles 13:18)

After the victory, Abijah is said to have taken specific cities from Jeroboam. Jeroboam’s decline is also described, with Yahweh presented as the one who struck him.

“Abijah pursued Jeroboam, and took cities from him, Bethel with its villages, Jeshanah with its villages, and Ephron with its villages.” (2 Chronicles 13:19)

“Jeroboam didn’t recover strength again in the days of Abijah. Yahweh struck him, and he died.” (2 Chronicles 13:20)

The chapter closes with a brief note about Abijah’s strength, family expansion, and a pointer to further written material about his reign.

“But Abijah grew mighty, and took for himself fourteen wives, and became the father of twenty-two sons, and sixteen daughters.” (2 Chronicles 13:21)

“The rest of the acts of Abijah, his ways, and his sayings are written in the commentary of the prophet Iddo.” (2 Chronicles 13:22)

Multiple People Named Abijah

The name Abijah applies to more than one figure in the passages given. One Abijah is “Hezron’s wife” (1 Chronicles 2:24). Another Abijah is Samuel’s “second” son, a judge in Beersheba (1 Chronicles 6:28; 1 Samuel 8:2). Another is listed among “the sons of Becher” (1 Chronicles 7:8). Another appears in priestly ordering as “the eighth to Abijah” (1 Chronicles 24:10). In the royal material, Abijah is Rehoboam’s son (1 Chronicles 3:10; 2 Chronicles 11:20, 11:22; 2 Chronicles 12:16) who “began to reign over Judah” and fought Jeroboam (2 Chronicles 13:1–22).

Name and Meaning

In Hebrew the name is written אֲבִיָּה, transliterated ’Abiyah and pronounced “ab-ee-yaw” (lexicon information). The name is explained from the components ’ab (אָב), “father,” and Yahh (יָהּ), “Jah,” and is glossed as meaning “father (i.e. worshipper) of Jah” (lexicon derivation and paraphrase).

Observation

In the central narrative about the king, the account explicitly links Judah’s victory with reliance on God: “the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied on Yahweh, the God of their fathers” (2 Chronicles 13:18).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Abijah mean?

Abijah means “father (i.e. worshipper) of Jah.”

How many times does Abijah appear in the Bible?

Abijah occurs 22 times.

Who was Abijah in the Bible?

Abijah is the name of several Israelite men and two Israelite women. In different passages, Abijah is named as Hezron’s wife (1 Chronicles 2:24), the son of Rehoboam (1 Chronicles 3:10; 2 Chronicles 12:16), and one of Samuel’s sons who judged in Beersheba (1 Samuel 8:2).

What happened between Abijah and Jeroboam?

There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam (2 Chronicles 13:2). Abijah addressed Jeroboam and all Israel from Mount Zemaraim in the hill country of Ephraim (2 Chronicles 13:4).

Explore Further

If you found this page about Abijah interesting and would like to discover more about other biblical characters, explore our comprehensive Encyclopedia of Biblical Characters. For those looking to delve deeper into the Greek origins of these names and terms, our Greek Lexicon is an invaluable resource.

Sources: Name and occurrence data from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and STEPBible reference data (CC BY). Scripture quotations from the World English Bible (public domain).