Ahimaaz appears in the biblical narrative as a member of the Zadokite priestly family who functions within the Davidic court. In the narrative episodes of Absalom's revolt he and Jonathan son of Abiathar act as messengers and informants to David (see 2 Samuel 15:24–37; 17:15–21; 18:19–33). Genealogical lists render him the son of Zadok and record that he succeeded Zadok in the priestly line (1 Chronicles 6:8, 53). A passage in 1 Kings (4:15) names an Ahimaaz as husband of Basemath, a daughter of Solomon; the identification of that Ahimaaz with the Zadokite messenger is possible but uncertain in the sources.
The sources provide no physical description of Ahimaaz. He is identified by lineage (son of Zadok), office (priest/high-priestly successor in Chronicles), and function (royal messenger). These genealogical and functional markers signal high social and cultic status in the central sanctuary and at the royal court, but the texts do not record bodily features, dress, or other descriptive particulars.
Ahimaaz is portrayed as a swift and trusted messenger and intelligence agent in the Davidic court. During Absalom's rebellion he, together with Jonathan son of Abiathar, relays information to David about events in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:24–37; 17:15–21). He is described specifically as a "swift runner" and is said to have been the first to bring David news of Absalom's defeat, though he withheld the report of Absalom's death (2 Samuel 18:19–33). Separately, the chronicler lists him as succeeding his father Zadok in the priesthood (1 Chronicles 6:8, 53).
Weaknesses
- otherNone attested in sources
Wards
- otherNone attested in sources
Aaron
Aaron is a central human figure in Israelite sacred literature: the elder brother of Moses, the first high priest (progenitor of the Aaronide priesthood), and a spokesman/prophet who mediates between Israel and God in Exodus–Deuteronomy narratives. His role in the texts establishes hereditary priestly authority, ritual functions (sacrifices, blessing, use of Urim and Thummim), and institutional norms for Israelite cultic life.
Abaddon
In Hebrew scripture Abaddon is primarily a noun meaning 'destruction' or a section/condition of the underworld paired with Sheol; in the New Testament Book of Revelation Abaddon is personified as an angelic figure (Greek Apollyon) described as the king of an army of locusts released from the abyss during the apocalypse.
Abadir
Abadir is a polysemous name attested in distinct cultural contexts: a legendary founding saint and clan ancestor in eastern Ethiopia (Sheikh Abadir Umar Al‑Rida / Aw Abadir), a term applied to cone‑shaped cult stones in Phoenician religious description, and a personal name of a martyr (Abadir/Apater) in the Coptic Synaxarium. The attestations are independent usages of the same name rather than a single supernatural being.
Abadiu of Antinoe
Abadiu of Antinoe was a fourth‑century bishop of Antinoe (Antinoopolis, in Roman Egypt) commemorated as a martyr and saint in the Coptic Orthodox Church, with a feast day on 26 December. Sources record that he was killed during a theological dispute with Arian opponents and reference him in collections of Egyptian martyrs.
Abagtha
Abagtha (Hebrew: אבגתא, ’Ǎḇaḡṯā) is a named human court official in the Hebrew Bible’s Book of Esther, listed among seven chamberlains who ministered before King Ahasuerus and were commanded to bring Queen Vashti before the king. He is attested only in Esther 1:10 and is presented as an institutional palace attendant rather than a supernatural being.
Abanoub
Abanoub is a 4th‑century Egyptian Christian child martyr venerated in the Coptic tradition. Remembered for his public confession of Christ, miraculous healings associated with his passion, and the translation and veneration of his relics, his feast is observed on July 31 (Epip 24) and his cult centers include Nehisa and Samanoud.
Abaskhiron the Soldier
A Coptic Orthodox martyr venerated for refusing imperial idolatry during the Diocletian persecution; reputedly healed by the Archangel Michael, preserved in monastery relics, and commemorated on 14 June (7 Paoni).
Abdel Messih El-Makari
Abdel Messih El-Makari (1892–1963) was a Coptic Orthodox monk and priest venerated as a 20th‑century Coptic saint. Associated with the Monastery of Saint Samuel the Confessor and the Monastery of Saint Macarius (Scetes/Wadi El‑Natrun), he is remembered for humility, asceticism, charity, and reported spiritual gifts such as prescience, discerning of spirits, and healing.
Abdiel
Abdiel (Hebrew עֲבְדִּיאֵל) is primarily a theophoric Hebrew personal name meaning "servant of El/servant of God," attested once in the Hebrew Bible (1 Chronicles 5:15). In later literature—most notably John Milton's Paradise Lost—Abdiel is reimagined as a faithful seraph who opposes Satan's revolt. The provided sources do not treat Abdiel as an autonomous folkloric spirit type or record rituals or wards associated with the name.
Abel
Abel is the second son of Adam and Eve in the Genesis narrative, a shepherd whose accepted offering and subsequent murder by his brother Cain form the biblical account of the first death. Later interpretive traditions expand his role, treating him as an archetypal righteous victim, a postmortem avenging or adjudicating figure, and in some systems (notably Mandaean) identifying him with an angelic lightbeing.
Abiathar
Abiathar (Hebrew: אֶבְיָתָר, ʾEḇyāṯār) is a named human priestly figure in the Hebrew Bible. He is presented as a survivor of the Nob massacre who fled to David with priestly regalia, served as a priest and counselor in David's court, and was later deposed and sent to Anathoth by Solomon for supporting Adonijah.
Abib and Apollo
Abib and Apollo are Christian ascetics and hagiographic saints of Akhmim (Upper Egypt) attested in Coptic sources and the Historia Monachorum. Remembered for extreme asceticism, monastic leadership, angelic encounters, and inclusion in the Coptic Synaxarion (feast day November 4).
Community Record
- [1]Ahimaaz — Wikipedia. Wikipedia, entry 'Ahimaaz' (summary citing 2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles, 1 Kings).wiki
- [2]Ahimaaz — Wikidata. Wikidata item Q2904547 for Ahimaaz.other
- [3]The Hebrew Iliad: The History of the Rise of Israel under Saul and David. Archive catalogue entry noting a tradition that a priest Ahimaaz may have authored material; treated as uncertain in the source notes.other
- [4]Masterpieces of Hebrew Literature: A Treasury of 2000 Years of Jewish Creativity. Archive compilation containing discussions of Hebrew literary and historical materials in which Ahimaaz is referenced in bibliographic context.other