Bible Dictionary
Abimael
Abimael was one of the sons of Joktan, a descendant of Shem. He is associated with a South Arabian people or tribe.
Definition
Abimael was the ninth of Joktan’s thirteen sons and a descendant of Shem through Eber. His name is associated with Mael and is regarded as the ancestor of a South Arabian people or tribe.
Biblical Usage
Abimael appears in the genealogical lists of Genesis 10 and 1 Chronicles 1 as one of Joktan’s sons.
Historical Background
The name is linguistically South Arabian, and the tribes represented in Joktan’s list are identified as South Arabian.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Father of Mael, one of the sons or descendants of Joktan, in Northern Arabia (Gen. 10:28; 1 Chr. 1:22).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(father of Mael), a descendant of Joktan, (Genesis 10:28; 1 Chronicles 1:22) and probably the progenitor of an Arab tribe (Mali).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>a-bim'-a-el, ab-i-ma'-el ('abhima'el, "my father is God," or "God is father"): The ninth of the thirteen sons of Joktan, who was descendant of Shem, and son of Eber, and brother of Peleg in whose days the earth was divided (Ge 10:25-29; 1Ch 1:19-23). Like some of the other names in this list, the name is linguistically south Arabian, and the tribes indicated are south Arabians. On the Arabic elements in Hebrew proper names see Halevy, Melanges d'epigraphie et d'archeologie semitiques; ZDMG, especially early in 1883; D. H. Muller, Epigraphie Denkmaler aus Arabien; Glaser, Skizze der Gesch. und Geog. Arabiens; and by index Hommel, Ancient Hebrew Tradition; and Gray, Hebrew Proper Names; and F. Giesebrecht, Die alttestamentliche Schatzung des Gottesnamens.</p><p>Willis J. Beecher</p>