Ahuzzath

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

Ahuzzath . ‘The friend’ of Abimelech, the Philistine of Gerar, mentioned on the occasion when the latter made a league with Isaac at Beersheba (  Genesis 26:26 ). The position of ‘king’s friend’ may possibly have been an official one, and the title a technical one (cf.   1 Kings 4:5 ,   1 Chronicles 27:33 ). The rendering of the LXX [Note: Septuagint.] gives a different conception, that of ‘pronubus,’ or friend of the bridegroom.

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

"Friend" (oriental kings have usually such favorites) of the Philistine king Abimelech in his interview with Isaac ( Genesis 26:28). Jerome and the Chaldee Targum explains "a company of friends." The ending -Ath appears in other Philistine names, Gath, Goliath, Timnath.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Ahuz'zath. (Possessions). One of the friends of the Philistine, king Abimelech, who accompanied him at his interview with Isaac.  Genesis 26:26. (B.C. about 1877).

People's Dictionary of the Bible

Ahuzzath ( A-Huz'Zath ), Possession. A friend of Abimelech, king or Gerar.  Genesis 26:26.

Morrish Bible Dictionary

Friend of Abimelech, king of the Philistines, who came with him to make a covenant with Isaac.  Genesis 26:26 .

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Genesis 26:26

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(Hebrew Achuzzath', אֲחֻזִּת , Possession, as often in the constr. of אֲחֻזָּה ; otherwise, Tenacious [the termination "-ath" being frequent in Philistine nouns, (See Gath), (See Goliath), etc.]; Sept. Ο᾿Χοζάθ ,Vulg. Ochozath), the "friend" ( רֵע ; Sept. Νυμφαγωγός , bridesman; but rather, evidently, that unofficial but important personage of ancient Oriental courts called

"the king's friend" or favorite) of Abimelech' (q.v.) II, king of Gerar, who attended him on his visit to Isaac ( Genesis 26:26), B.C. cir. 1985.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

a - huz´ath ( אחזּת , 'ăḥuzzath , "possession"): A "friend" perhaps a minister, of Abimelech, king of Gerar. He together with Phicol, commander of the army, accompanied their sovereign to Beersheba to make a covenant with Isaac ( Genesis 26:26 ). The termination "- ath " reminds us of Philistine proper names, such as Gath, Goliath, etc. Compare Genubath ( 1 Kings 11:20 ).

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Ahuz´zath (possession), the 'friend' of Abimelech II, king of Gerar, who attended him on his visit to Isaac ( Genesis 26:26). In him occurs the first instance of that unofficial but important personage in ancient Oriental courts, called 'the king's friend,' or favorite.