Bible Dictionary
Ichabod
Ichabod was the son of Phinehas and grandson of Eli. His mother named him “no glory” when the ark was captured and Eli and Phinehas died, declaring that the glory had departed from Israel.
Definition
Ichabod was the son of Phinehas and grandson of Eli. He was born after his father died in the battle in which the ark was captured. His mother named him Ichabod, meaning “inglorious” or “no glory,” because she believed the glory had departed from Israel.
Biblical Usage
Ichabod’s name interpreted the national disaster accompanying the capture of the ark and the deaths of Eli and Phinehas. He functioned in the narrative as a symbol of Israel’s loss of glory.
Historical Background
Ichabod was born at Shiloh after the disastrous battle against the Philistines near Aphek. His mother died after giving birth and naming him.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
When the tidings of the disastrous defeat of the Israelites in the battle against the Philistines near to Mizpeh were carried to Shiloh, the wife of Phinehas “was near to be delivered. And when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed” (1 Sam. 4:19-22). In her great distress she regarded not “the women that stood by her,” but named the child that was born “Ichabod” i.e., no glory, saying, “The glory is departed from Isreal;” and with that word on her lips she expired.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(inglorious), the son of Phinehas and grandson of Eli. (1 Samuel 4:21) (B.C. about 1100.)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ik'-a-bod, i'-ka-bod (i-kha-bhodh, "inglorious"; Codex Vaticanus, ouai barchaboth; Codex Alexandrinus, ouai chaboth, Atimos): Son of Phinehas, Eli's son, slain at the battle of Aphek when the ark was taken. Ichabod was born after his father's death. His mother gave him this name on her death-bed to indicate that the "glory (had) departed from Israel" (1Sa 4:19). He was thus important as a symbol, though little is recorded of him as an individual. His nephew Ahijah was one of those who tarried with Saul and the six hundred at Gibeah just before Jonathan's brave attack upon the Philistines (1Sa 14:2 f).</p><p>Henry Wallace</p>