1 Samuel 25:25
Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send.
Original Language Analysis
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
1 of 29
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
נָ֣א
H4994
נָ֣א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
2 of 29
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
יָשִׂ֣ים
Let
H7760
יָשִׂ֣ים
Let
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
3 of 29
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לִבּ֡וֹ
I pray thee regard
H3820
לִבּ֡וֹ
I pray thee regard
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
6 of 29
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
אִישׁ֩
this man
H376
אִישׁ֩
this man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
8 of 29
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הַבְּלִיַּ֨עַל
of Belial
H1100
הַבְּלִיַּ֨עַל
of Belial
Strong's:
H1100
Word #:
9 of 29
without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness
הַזֶּ֜ה
H2088
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 29
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 29
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
שְׁמ֔וֹ
for as his name
H8034
שְׁמ֔וֹ
for as his name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
14 of 29
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
כֶּן
H3651
כֶּן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
15 of 29
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
ה֔וּא
H1931
ה֔וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
16 of 29
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
שְׁמ֔וֹ
for as his name
H8034
שְׁמ֔וֹ
for as his name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
18 of 29
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
וּנְבָלָ֖ה
and folly
H5039
וּנְבָלָ֖ה
and folly
Strong's:
H5039
Word #:
19 of 29
foolishness, i.e., (morally) wickedness; concretely, a crime; by extension, punishment
עִמּ֑וֹ
H5973
עִמּ֑וֹ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
20 of 29
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
אֲמָ֣תְךָ֔
is with him but I thine handmaid
H519
אֲמָ֣תְךָ֔
is with him but I thine handmaid
Strong's:
H519
Word #:
22 of 29
a maid-servant or female slave
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
23 of 29
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
רָאִ֛יתִי
saw
H7200
רָאִ֛יתִי
saw
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
24 of 29
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
25 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נַֽעֲרֵ֥י
not the young men
H5288
נַֽעֲרֵ֥י
not the young men
Strong's:
H5288
Word #:
26 of 29
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
Cross References
1 Samuel 25:17Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him.Malachi 2:2If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.
Historical Context
Hebrew names often bore prophetic significance. Abigail's wordplay on Nabal's name was devastating indictment spoken by his own wife. Her claim of ignorance was likely true—servants brought the request to Nabal, not her.
Questions for Reflection
- How did Abigail's honest assessment of her husband serve the larger purpose of preventing disaster?
- What does her distinction between Nabal's guilt and household innocence teach about proportional justice?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send.
Abigail's argument combines acknowledgment of her husband's guilt with explanation of her own innocence. She calls Nabal 'man of Belial' (Hebrew 'ish habbeliya'al')—the same term his own servant used. The wordplay 'as his name is, so is he' (Hebrew kishmo ken hu) explicitly connects Nabal's name to his character—he is the fool his name declares. 'Folly is with him' (Hebrew 'nevalah immo') describes his constant companion. Abigail's claim that she 'saw not the young men' explains her failure to provide hospitality—she was unaware of David's request until too late. Her argument: don't let one fool's offense destroy an entire household.