mephibosheth: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowBiblical/Literary/Historical
Quick answer
What does “mephibosheth” mean?
A proper name, specifically the name of two figures in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament): 1) A son of Saul, killed by the Gibeonites.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A proper name, specifically the name of two figures in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament): 1) A son of Saul, killed by the Gibeonites; 2) A son of Jonathan, the grandson of Saul, who was lame in both feet and was shown kindness by King David.
In religious or literary contexts, can symbolise a recipient of unmerited kindness, a survivor of a fallen dynasty, or someone who is physically impaired but under royal protection.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage. Pronunciation differences follow general patterns of regional accent.
Connotations
Holds the same biblical/historical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both dialects, encountered only in specialised religious, academic, or literary settings.
Grammar
How to Use “mephibosheth” in a Sentence
N/A (Proper Noun)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mephibosheth” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
N/A
Academic
Used in theological studies, biblical exegesis, or historical analysis of the Davidic monarchy.
Everyday
N/A
Technical
N/A
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mephibosheth”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mephibosheth”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mephibosheth”
- Misspelling (e.g., Mephiboshet, Mephibosheth).
- Mispronouncing the 'sh' as 's' or the 'th' as 't'.
- Using it as a common noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
He was the son of Jonathan and grandson of King Saul. He became lame as a child and was later shown great kindness by King David for the sake of his father Jonathan.
No, it is an extremely rare proper noun from the Bible. It is not used in everyday modern English.
It is often used to illustrate themes of unmerited favour, covenant loyalty, and the restoration of those who are marginalised.
In British English, it is commonly /mɪˈfɪbəʊʃɛθ/ (mi-FIB-oh-sheth). In American English, it is often /məˈfɪbəʃɛθ/ (muh-FIB-uh-sheth).
A proper name, specifically the name of two figures in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament): 1) A son of Saul, killed by the Gibeonites.
Mephibosheth is usually biblical/literary/historical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “N/A”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Mephi-BO-sheth: He had to BOW (BO) because he was lame, yet he was shown SHEER (sheth) kindness.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEPHIBOSHETH IS A RECIPIENT OF COVENANTAL GRACE.
Practice
Quiz
In the biblical narrative, why was Mephibosheth lame?