ahimelech
Very Low (Proper Noun, specialized religious/historical context)Formal (Biblical, historical, theological discourse)
Definition
Meaning
A personal name appearing in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, most notably referring to a priest of Nob during the reign of King Saul who aided David.
Used as a historical/biblical reference; can symbolize misplaced trust, loyalty in conflict with authority, or religious figures caught in political turmoil.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Exclusively a proper noun. Recognizable primarily in contexts discussing the Hebrew Bible, the reign of King Saul, or the early life of King David.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
None in meaning or spelling. Pronunciation may differ slightly (see IPA). Usage contexts identical.
Connotations
Identical. Carries connotations of religious history, tragedy (as Ahimelech and the priests of Nob were killed by Saul), and complex loyalty.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general discourse in both varieties. Confined to religious, academic historical, or literary discussions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[King Saul] ordered the death of Ahimelech.[David] came to Ahimelech.Ahimelech provided [the showbread] to David.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in theology, biblical studies, and historical analyses of the monarchic period of ancient Israel.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used as a specific referent in biblical commentaries, lexicons, and historical texts.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This is a story about David and Ahimelech.
- David went to Ahimelech the priest to ask for food and a weapon.
- Ahimelech, unaware of the rift between David and Saul, provided him with sacred bread and Goliath's sword.
- The tragic execution of Ahimelech and the priests of Nob exemplifies the brutal intersection of political paranoia and religious office in the Saulide narrative.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A-him-e-lech -> "A him I like" - but King Saul did NOT like him.
Conceptual Metaphor
AHIMELECH IS A PAWN IN A ROYAL CONFLICT.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not a common name in Russian biblical tradition; the standard Russian equivalent is "Ахимелех" (Akhimelekh). Ensure correct transliteration.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'Ahimilech', 'Achimelech'.
- Confusing him with other priests like Abiathar (his son) or Eli.
Practice
Quiz
What was the primary reason for King Saul's order to execute Ahimelech?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
He was the high priest at Nob during King Saul's reign who gave David consecrated bread and the sword of Goliath, for which Saul later had him and other priests killed.
No, Ahimelech is not mentioned in the Quran. The story is specific to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament.
King Saul, in a rage over Ahimelech's inadvertent aid to David, ordered his execution along with the other priests of the town of Nob.
In British English, it's commonly /eɪˈhɪməlɛk/ (ay-HIM-uh-lek). In American English, it's often /əˈhɪməˌlɛk/ (uh-HIM-uh-lek).