How Do You Spell AHITHOPHEL?

Pronunciation: [ˈahɪθˌɒfə͡l] (IPA)

The word "Ahithophel" is a biblical name that appears in the Old Testament. It is spelled with a combination of letters that can be confusing for English speakers, as the pronunciation doesn't always match the spelling. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is spelled /əˈhɪθəfɛl/, with emphasis on the second syllable. The "th" sound in the middle of the word is pronounced as a "θ" sound, like "thick," rather than a "ð" sound, like "then." The final "el" is pronounced as "uhl."

Meaning and Definition
Etymology
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AHITHOPHEL Meaning and Definition

  1. Ahithophel is a name that appears in the Old Testament of the Bible, specifically in the Second Book of Samuel. The name Ahithophel refers to a significant figure in biblical history who was originally known as a wise and trusted counselor to King David. In Hebrew, the name Ahithophel means "brother of foolishness" or "brother is darkness."

    Ahithophel was renowned for his wisdom and strategic counsel, which was highly valued by King David. He was acknowledged as a brilliant and skilled strategist, known for providing insightful advice and guidance in matters of warfare, politics, and governance.

    However, Ahithophel's relationship with King David deteriorated when David committed adultery with Bathsheba and orchestrated the death of her husband Uriah. Feeling betrayed by David, Ahithophel joined Absalom, David's son, in a rebellion against his father's rule.

    Ahithophel's involvement with Absalom proved to be a significant turning point in the rebellion. He provided counsel on how to effectively overthrow David and take over the kingdom. Nonetheless, his plotting and scheming were ultimately thwarted when his advice was rejected in favor of Hushai's strategy.

    As a result of this rejection, Ahithophel, realizing the imminent failure of the rebellion, took his own life. The name Ahithophel has since become synonymous with betrayal and deceit, representing the tragic consequences that can arise when trusted advisers turn against those who once held them in high regard.

Etymology of AHITHOPHEL

The word "Ahithophel" has its origins in the Hebrew language. In the Bible, specifically in the Old Testament, Ahithophel is mentioned as a counselor of King David. The name Ahithophel in Hebrew is אֲחִיתֹפֶֽל (Achitophel).

The etymology of the word is not entirely clear and is somewhat debated among scholars. One possible interpretation is that Ahithophel is a compound of two Hebrew words: "achi" meaning "brother" and "taphel" meaning "fool". Therefore, Ahithophel could be translated as "brother of a fool" or "my brother is foolish".

However, other scholars propose different interpretations.