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Ahab

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Wicked king of Israel known for idolatry and opposition to the prophet Elijah

Detailed Definition
Ahab, son of Omri, reigned over Israel and married Jezebel, promoting Baal worship and persecuting prophets. His confrontation with Elijah on Mount Carmel and death in battle mark him as a symbol of apostasy. In poetry, Ahab embodies moral corruption, the dangers of unchecked power, and the tragic consequences of spiritual compromise.
Example
Example in poetry:
In John Milton’s "Paradise Lost," Ahab’s idolatry is a type of Satanic rebellion; In Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s "The Seraphim," Ahab’s marriage to Jezebel symbolizes spiritual adultery; In William Cowper’s hymns, Ahab’s fate warns against compromise with evil; In George Herbert’s "The Church-porch," Ahab’s covetousness (Naboth’s vineyard) illustrates moral decay; In Alfred Tennyson’s "King David," Ahab’s weakness contrasts with David’s repentance; In Christina Rossetti’s "The World," Ahab represents the seduction of power and false gods.
Additional Notes
Ahab: Infamous king of Israel, husband of Jezebel, and antagonist of Elijah (1 Kings 16–22). Ahab embodies apostasy, moral compromise, and the consequences of unchecked desire (Naboth’s vineyard). In poetry, he is a cautionary figure for tyranny, idolatry, or the erosion of conscience. His death in battle (1 Kings 22) and dogs licking his blood fulfill prophecy—rich for ironic or tragic structure.
Also Known As
Ahab king of Israel Ahab son of Omri
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