H6369 H6369
Phicol, commander of Abimelech's army
Phicol was the military commander serving under Abimelech, king of Gerar, during Abraham's and Isaac's time. He appears at crucial diplomatic moments: accompanying Abimelech when making a covenant with Abraham at Beersheba (Genesis 21:22, 32), and again when Abimelech and Ahuzzath approach Isaac (Genesis 26:26). His consistent presence as Abimelech's military chief suggests a trusted advisor role in international relations. The name appears to be non-Semitic, possibly Philistine or Aegean, fitting the Philistine context of Gerar. His role underscores the seriousness of these treaty negotiations.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Personal name of the army commander serving Abimelech king of Gerar. Genesis 21:22 introduces 'Abimelech and Phicol (פִיכֹל) the commander of his army' approaching Abraham for a treaty. Verse 32 notes they 'returned to the land of the Philistines' after the covenant at Beersheba. Genesis 26:26 shows 'Abimelech...and Phicol his army commander' coming to Isaac, suggesting either the same person decades later, a dynastic title, or a successor with the same name. His military role gave weight to diplomatic missions. The name likely reflects Philistine origins. Translations preserve: 'Phicol,' Spanish 'Pikhol/Ficol.' 3×
AR["وَ-فيكولُ", "وَ-فِيكُولُ"]·ben["আর-পীকোল", "ও-ফীকোল"]·DE["und-Pichol"]·EN["and-Phicol"]·FR["et-Phicol"]·heb["ו-פיכל"]·HI["और-पीकोल"]·ID["dan-Pikhol"]·IT["e-Phicol"]·jav["lan-Pikhol"]·KO["그리고-비골이"]·PT["e-Pikhol"]·RU["и-Пихол", "и-Фихол"]·ES["y-Pikhol"]·SW["na-Fikoli"]·TR["ve-Fikol"]·urd["اور-فیکول"]
Related Senses
G3588 1. definite article (18298×)H0853 1. definite direct object marker (10915×)G2532 1. (8312×)H3068 1. YHWH (the divine name) (6522×)H0834a 1. relative pronoun (who/which/that) (4839×)H3588a 1. causal: because, for (3498×)G1161 1. and (2806×)H3478 1. Israel (proper name and nation) (2507×)G4771 1. you (plural address) (1853×)H1931 1. personal pronoun he/she/it (1431×)G3739 1. relative pronoun who/which/that (1149×)H1732 1. David (proper name) (1075×)H2088 1. this, this one (demonstrative) (1059×)G1063 1. (1047×)G3778 1. this thing, these things (1003×)H???? 2. (1002×)G2424 1. (924×)G3754 1. that (content clause) (881×)H2009 1. presentative particle: behold, look (881×)H0589 1. I (first person singular pronoun) (874×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† פִּיכֹל n.pr.m. captain of Abimelech of Gerar Gn 21:22, 32; 26:26, Φικολ, 𝔊L Φιχολ.