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Abiram

biblical_person theological_term standard

A biblical personal name borne by several men in the Old Testament, most notably the Reubenite Abiram who joined Korah’s rebellion against Moses.

At a Glance

A biblical name, not a theological concept. Most references point to Abiram son of Eliab, one of the rebels in Numbers 16.

Key Points

Description

Abiram is a Hebrew personal name used for more than one man in the Old Testament. The most prominent bearer is Abiram son of Eliab, a Reubenite linked with Dathan and Korah’s rebellion against Moses and Aaron in Numbers 16, where the Lord judged the rebels. Another Abiram appears in the account of Hiel rebuilding Jericho in 1 Kings 16:34. Because the term designates a biblical name rather than a doctrine or theological concept, the entry should be published as a person/name article with careful distinction between the different individuals who share the name.

Biblical Context

In the wilderness narratives, Abiram is associated with a serious act of rebellion against the Lord’s appointed leadership. The account in Numbers 16 presents the rebellion as both political and theological: opposition to Moses and Aaron was treated as opposition to God’s order. The later mention of another Abiram in 1 Kings shows that the name continued in Israelite usage beyond the wilderness period.

Historical Context

The best-known Abiram belongs to the wilderness generation, likely within the tribal setting of Reuben. His appearance in Numbers reflects tensions over authority, inheritance, and leadership among the tribes during Israel’s journey from Egypt to Canaan. The reuse of the same name in later generations is normal in ancient Israel and does not by itself indicate a connection between the individuals.

Jewish and Ancient Context

Hebrew names were often repeated across generations, so the presence of more than one Abiram is not unusual. The name itself is likely related to the idea of exaltation or greatness, but Scripture’s significance lies mainly in the narrative role of the individual bearers of the name, especially the rebel in Numbers 16.

Primary Key Texts

Secondary Key Texts

Original Language Note

Hebrew אֲבִירָם (’Ăvîrām), likely meaning "my father is exalted" or "exalted father."

Theological Significance

Abiram’s best-known appearance highlights the seriousness of rebellion against God-appointed leadership and the certainty of divine judgment on presumptuous defiance.

Philosophical Explanation

This entry is chiefly about historical identity, not abstract theology. Its value is in showing how Scripture preserves real persons within redemptive history and uses their lives to teach moral and covenantal truth.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not confuse the Abiram of Numbers 16 with other men of the same name. The entry concerns a biblical person-name, not a separate doctrine or symbol.

Major Views

There is no major doctrinal dispute about the identity of Abiram; the main interpretive task is distinguishing the different individuals who bear the name.

Doctrinal Boundaries

This entry does not establish a standalone doctrine. It simply records a biblical person and the narrative judgment associated with him in Scripture.

Practical Significance

Abiram’s story warns readers against joining rebellion, resisting God’s order, or treating spiritual authority lightly. It also reminds Bible readers to pay attention to historical context and to distinguish similarly named individuals.

Related Entries

See Also

Data

Machine-readable JSON for Abiram

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