"source of joy"
Enter your surname above to see harmony analysis
“The Hebrew original of Abigail — my father is joy”
Avigayil (אֲבִיגַיִל) is the original Hebrew form of the name anglicized as Abigail. The name combines avi (my father) and gil (joy), meaning my father is joy or source of joy. In the Hebrew Bible, Avigayil was the wise and beautiful wife of Nabal who later married King David after Nabal's death. The biblical account in 1 Samuel 25 portrays her as a woman of remarkable wisdom, diplomacy, and courage who prevented David from committing bloodshed.
The authentic Hebrew spelling Avigayil has grown in use in Israel and among diaspora Jewish families who prefer original Hebrew forms over anglicized versions. As Hebrew names experience a global revival, the full Avigayil form is increasingly used alongside the more familiar Abigail.
Avigayil is celebrated in Jewish tradition as a prophetess — one of the seven female prophets listed in the Talmud. Her story is a model of feminine wisdom and courage: she acted independently to prevent violence, demonstrating that righteousness sometimes requires bold action. She is one of the most positive female figures in the Hebrew Bible.
Other
1744
Wife of US President John Adams and mother of President John Quincy Adams, one of the most influential women of the founding era
Religious
Wise and courageous wife of King David, counted among the seven female prophets of Israel in the Talmud