אַחְאָב

Ahab, meaning "father's brother" or "brother of the father," is most notably known as a king of Israel. He was the son of Omri and reigned for twenty-two years in Samaria. His reign is extensively documented in the books of 1 and 2 Kings.

King Ahab is a significant figure in the Old Testament due to his idolatrous practices and his conflict with the prophet Elijah. He married Jezebel, a Phoenician princess, who introduced and promoted the worship of Baal and Asherah in Israel. This led to a profound spiritual decline in the nation. The biblical narrative frequently highlights Ahab's wickedness and his role in leading the Israelites away from the worship of Yahweh. His actions and those of his wife brought severe divine judgment upon Israel.

Beyond the king, the name Ahab also appears in Jeremiah 29:21 as a prophet in Babylon. This Ahab, son of Kolaiah, was condemned by God through the prophet Jeremiah for prophesying falsely in God's name and for committing adultery. This example illustrates the dual nature of prophetic roles and the consequences of false prophecy within the Israelite tradition.