אֲבִיגַיִל
Avigayil / Abigail
“Father's joy”
Abigail (אֲבִיגַיִל, Avigayil) is a Hebrew girl's name meaning “father's joy,” pronounced “a-vi-GA-yil.” From Hebrew אָב (av, 'father') + גִּיל (gil, 'joy/rejoicing'). The name Avigayil means 'father's joy' or 'my father rejoices.' Some scholars interpret it as 'father of joy' or 'source of joy.'
| Hebrew | אֲבִיגַיִל |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Avigayil |
| English Name | Abigail |
| Meaning | Father's joy |
| Pronunciation | a-vi-GA-yil |
| Gender | Girl |
| Category | Female Biblical Names |
| Variants | Avigayil, Avigail, Abigaíl, Abbie, Gail |
| Key Scripture | 1 Samuel 25:32-33 |
Abigail is the Bible's portrait of wisdom in action. Married to Nabal — a wealthy fool whose name literally means 'fool' — Abigail displayed extraordinary courage and diplomatic brilliance when she single-handedly prevented David and his 400 armed men from committing a massacre. She intercepted David with generous provisions, delivered a prophetic speech about his future kingship, and persuaded him to spare her household. David's response reveals everything: 'Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. May you be blessed for your good judgment' (1 Samuel 25:32-33). When Nabal died shortly after, David married Abigail — recognizing that her wisdom was the rarest treasure.
Key Scripture: 1 Samuel 25:32-33
“David said to Abigail, 'Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day.'”
What Does Abigail Mean in Hebrew?
Composed of אֲבִי (avi, 'my father') + גַיִל (gayil, from גִּיל meaning 'joy/rejoicing'). The compound means 'my father's joy' or 'my father rejoices.' In the context of naming, it expresses a father's delight at the birth of a daughter — or more broadly, 'source of joy.'
Abigail in the Bible
Abigail is described as 'an intelligent and beautiful woman' (1 Samuel 25:3) — one of the few women in Scripture praised for both qualities. Her diplomatic intervention with David demonstrated political wisdom, prophetic insight, and moral courage. She later became one of David's wives and the mother of his son Kileab/Daniel.
Cultural Context & Modern Usage
Abigail became a common term for a 'lady's maid' in 17th-18th century English literature, based on her humble self-description as David's 'servant.' This usage, while reflecting her modesty, somewhat obscured her actual role as one of Scripture's most brilliant and courageous women — a reputation now being reclaimed.
Abigail has been a top-10 girls' name in the United States for years, and it remains extremely popular in English-speaking countries. Its combination of biblical gravitas, feminine elegance, and the cute nicknames Abby/Gail makes it universally appealing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Abigail
What does Abigail mean in Hebrew?
Abigail (אֲבִיגַיִל, Avigayil) means “Father's joy” in Hebrew. From Hebrew אָב (av, 'father') + גִּיל (gil, 'joy/rejoicing'). The name Avigayil means 'father's joy' or 'my father rejoices.' Some scholars interpret it as 'father of joy' or 'source of joy.'
How do you pronounce Abigail in Hebrew?
The Hebrew pronunciation of Abigail is “a-vi-GA-yil.” The name is written אֲבִיגַיִל in Hebrew script.
What does Abigail mean in Hebrew?
Abigail (אֲבִיגַיִל, Avigayil) means 'father's joy' or 'my father rejoices' in Hebrew, combining 'avi' (my father) with 'gayil' (joy/rejoicing). The name expresses the delight of a parent at a child's birth. In Abigail's case, it proved prophetically apt — she brought joy and relief to everyone she encountered, most notably saving David from a terrible mistake.
Why is Abigail considered wise in the Bible?
When her foolish husband Nabal insulted David and his men, Abigail quickly gathered generous provisions, intercepted David's armed force, and delivered an eloquent speech that acknowledged David's future kingship while appealing to his better nature. She prevented a massacre through diplomacy, wisdom, and courage — prompting David to praise God for sending her and to bless her 'good judgment.'
Did Abigail marry King David?
Yes — after Nabal died of what appears to have been a stroke or heart attack ten days after learning what Abigail had done, David sent messengers to propose to her. Abigail accepted and became one of David's wives (1 Samuel 25:39-42). She bore him a son named Kileab (also called Daniel in 1 Chronicles 3:1).
Sources & Further Study
Related Hebrew Words
More Female Biblical Names
Explore other names in the Female Biblical Names collection
Related Hebrew Names
Discover the Meaning Behind Every Biblical Name
Join 12,000+ Christians discovering the depth of Scripture through Biblical Hebrew.
Subscribe Free