The name Ahiah (also rendered Ahijah in many translations) belongs to several individuals mentioned in the Old Testament, with the most prominent being a priest in the time of King Saul and a scribe under King Solomon. The name itself is significant, meaning “brother of the Lord” or “my brother is Yahweh,” reflecting a strong connection to God.
The King James Version of the Bible mentions at least three distinct individuals named Ahiah:
The Priest in Saul’s Court
One of the most notable figures bearing this name is the priest who served King Saul during his war with the Philistines. The scripture explicitly details his lineage:
- Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, the brother of Ichabod, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD’S priest in Shiloh.
He is introduced in a pivotal moment when Saul’s son, Jonathan, takes a daring step of faith against the Philistine garrison:
“And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD’S priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.” — 1 Samuel 14:3 (KJV)
His presence with Saul, wearing the ephod (a vestment which held the Urim and Thummim used for seeking divine direction), underscores his role as the official intermediary between the king and the Almighty. Later in the same chapter, when Saul seeks divine guidance to pursue the Philistines, he commands the priest:
“And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.” — 1 Samuel 14:18 (KJV)
It is generally believed by scholars that this Ahiah is the same person who is later called Ahimelech, who gave David hallowed bread and was subsequently slain by King Saul’s order at Nob (1 Samuel 22:9-20).
The Scribe Under Solomon
Another individual named Ahiah is recorded as a high-ranking official in the administrative court of King Solomon, serving alongside his brother:
“Elihoreph and Ahiah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder.” — 1 Kings 4:3 (KJV)
As one of the king’s scribes (or secretaries), Ahiah and his brother Elihoreph were responsible for important state documentation, record-keeping, and royal correspondence, highlighting a key role in the centralized government during the peak of Solomon’s kingdom.
Other Mentions
The name Ahiah also appears in other places in the King James Version, identifying men in different tribal and chronological contexts:
- A Benjamite: He is listed among the descendants of Bela, the son of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 8:7).
- A Sealer of the Covenant: He is listed among the Levites or chiefs who sealed the solemn covenant made in the time of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 10:26).
In summation, while several men shared the name Ahiah in the Scriptures, the most prominent figures are the priest who served under King Saul and the scribe in the court of King Solomon, both occupying crucial positions in the early structure of the Israelite monarchy.