For Dryden's satirical poem, see Absalom and Achitophel.
Ahitophel, Achitofel, or Ahithophel (Hebrew: אֲחִיתֹפֶל, romanized: ʾəḥiṯōp̄el, lit. 'My Brother is Folly') was a counselor of King David and a man greatly renowned for his wisdom. During Absalom's attempt to usurp the throne, he deserted David and supported Absalom, whom he then turned to as an advisor. To counteract Ahitophel's counsel, the fleeing David sent his friend Hushai back to Absalom. Seeing that his advice against David had not been followed due to Hushai's influence, Ahithophel surmised that the revolt would fail, returned to his hometown of Giloh, and hanged himself. He was buried in "the sepulcher of his fathers".
A man named Ahitophel is also mentioned in 2 Samuel 23:34, and he is said to be the father of Eliam. Since 2 Samuel 11:3 notes that Eliam is the father of Bathsheba, some scholars suggest that the Ahitophel of 2 Samuel 15 may be Bathsheba's grandfather. Levenson and Baruch Halpern, for example, note that "the narrator is sufficiently subtle (or guileless) to have Bathsheba's grandfather ... instigate the exaction of YHWH's pound of flesh," as Nathan's curse in 2 Samuel 12:11 comes to fruition.[1]
^Jon D. Levenson and Baruch Halpern, "The Political Import of David's Marriages," JBL 99 [1980] 514.
Ahitophel, Achitofel, or Ahithophel (Hebrew: אֲחִיתֹפֶל, romanized: ʾəḥiṯōp̄el, lit. 'My Brother is Folly') was a counselor of King David and a man greatly...
"the king's friend". This title is similar to that of counselor given to Ahitophel, or that of leader of the army to Joab: there is a similar use of the...
are typical of the five wounds; the betrayal by his trusted counsellor, Ahitophel, and the passage over the Cedron remind us of Christ's Sacred Passion...
Jerusalem, Ahitophel and Hushai arrive at Absalom's court. Absalom is at first suspicious of Hushai's presence, but ultimately accepts him. Ahitophel suggests...
regarding Ahitophel (16:23) B'. Absalom and Ahitophel: second counsel (17:1–4) A'. Absalom and Hushai (17:5–14a) Another interruption regarding Ahitophel (17:14b)...
Bank. Ahitophel, one of King David's chief advisors, came from Giloh (Book of Joshua, Joshua 15:51; cf. 2nd Samuel, 2 Samuel 15:12). Ahitophel was the...
advice of Jonadab in order to rape Tamar, Absalom had sought the advice of Ahitophel who advised Absalom to have incestuous relations with his father's concubines...
Bible who died by suicide are negative. Major contexts include betrayal (Ahitophel and Judas) and divine judgement resulting in military defeat (Saul and...
Ahitophel is personified as the mouth who David asks God to "break the teeth of", and in the account, Ahitophel's counsel is frustrated and Ahitophel...
honor. For so we find with David King of Israel, who learned nothing from Ahitophel except two things, yet called him his teacher [Hebrew text: rabbo], his...
lit. "the world-to-come": Jeroboam, Ahab, Menasseh, Doeg the Edomite, Ahitophel, Balaam, and Gehazi. According to the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda, Menasseh...
that our faction should not be like the faction of David, from which Ahitophel emerged. "And no going forth", that our faction should not be like the...
Yentl – Rabbi Zalman 1984: Lassiter – Gunz (voice) 1985: King David – Ahitophel 1988: Out of the Shadows – James Bluminfeld 1989: A Dry White Season –...
they stand in need of. They then sought sage advice and counsel from Ahitophel, including from the Sanhedrin, and enquired of the Urim and Thummim, as...
order to rape his half sister Tamar, Absalom had sought the advice of Ahitophel who advised Absalom to have incestuous relations with his father's concubines...
executions. These deaths are notable due to history or due to media exposure. Ahitophel, counselor of David (c. 1000 BC) Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve Apostles...
18). As soon as he set himself in Jerusalem, Absalom unwisely accepted Ahitophel's advice (which was "esteemed and regarded as divine guidance" in verse...
the False Bachelor Bk2.2501-2802 Pope Boniface Bk2.2803-3049 Joab and Ahitophel Bk2.3085-3094 Nature of Envy Bk2.3095-3161 Charity and Pity Bk2.3162-3186...
was supported by the Judahites (including Amasa, David's nephew, and Ahitophel, David's counsellor and grandfather of Bathsheba), while also enjoying...
the granddaughter of David's advisor Ahitophel of Gilo, (as also noted in the Talmud) could explain Ahitophel's advices to Absalom (2 Samuel 15:12) as...
Hushai the Archite was the king's companion: A specific account related to Ahitophel and Hushai is recorded in 2 Samuel 15:12, 23–37. David's Mighty Warriors...
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