Ἀβιούδ – Pronunciation Guide: ah-bee-OOD (stress on final syllable)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G10: Abiud, meaning “my father is majesty” or “father of honor,” is a personal name appearing in the genealogical record of the Messiah Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel, representing a crucial link in the post-exilic period of the Davidic line.

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Word Study

• Part of Speech: Proper Noun, masculine
• Language Origin: Hebrew אֲבִיהוּד (Abihud), compound of אב (father) and הוד (majesty/glory)

Morphology

• Ἀβιούδ (nominative form) – Abiud
• τοῦ Ἀβιούδ (genitive form) – of Abiud

Word Origin & History

Abiud emerges in the post-exilic period of Jewish history, appearing as a descendant of Zerubbabel, who led the first return from Babylonian exile. The name combines two significant Hebrew elements that reflect the theological importance of both fatherhood and divine glory in Jewish naming traditions.

The construction of the name follows common Hebrew naming patterns where theophoric elements (references to divine attributes) are combined with familial terms, creating names that serve as testimonies to God’s character and relationship with His people.

Biblical Usage

Abiud appears exclusively in Matthew 1:13 as part of the Messiah’s genealogy. His position in the genealogical record is significant as he represents the continuation of the Davidic line during the crucial period between the return from exile and the coming of the Messiah.

Key Passages

• Matthew 1:12-13 – Listed as son of Zerubbabel in the Messianic genealogy
• Matthew 1:1-17 – Part of the complete genealogical record

Cultural Insights

In post-exilic Jewish culture, names carrying elements of divine glory (הוד) held special significance as they represented hope for the restoration of David’s throne and the temple worship. The preservation of such names in genealogical records served as a living testimony to God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises.

Theological Significance

The appearance of Abiud in Matthew’s genealogy demonstrates God’s providential preservation of the Davidic line even through the dark periods of exile and restoration. His name, emphasizing both divine glory and fatherhood, points to the dual nature of the coming Messiah – both divine glory and perfect Son.

The careful preservation of names like Abiud in the genealogical record reveals God’s meticulous attention to detail in fulfilling His promises regarding the Messiah’s lineage, showing that even seemingly ordinary individuals play crucial roles in His redemptive plan.

Personal Application

Reflecting on Abiud’s place in the Messiah’s genealogy reminds us that God works through generations of faithful individuals to accomplish His purposes. Even when we feel insignificant in the grand narrative of redemption, our faithfulness matters to God’s unfolding plan.

Related Words

• βασιλεύς (king) – See G935
• δόξα (glory) – See G1391
• πατήρ (father) – See G3962

Did you Know?

• Abiud is one of only four individuals in the post-exilic period named in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus
• The name Abiud appears in some Jewish texts outside the Bible as “Abihud”
• The element “הוד” (glory) in his name is also found in the Hebrew name of the prophet Hod

Remember This

Every name in the Messiah’s genealogy, including Abiud, testifies to God’s faithful preservation of the royal line and His perfect plan of redemption.