Nabal

American  

[ney-buhl] / ˈneɪ bəl /

noun

1. (in the Bible) a wealthy Calebite, husband of Abigail, who refused rightful tribute to King David for protecting Nabal's flocks.

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Other Word Forms

• Nabalism noun
• Nabalite noun
• Nabalitic adjective

Etymology

Origin of Nabal

Ultimately from Hebrew Nābhāl “fool,” of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

Overnight, there were clashes in the Idlib province, as security forces used tanks, rocket launchers and artillery to bombard the towns of Kafr Nabal, Maarat al-Numan, Ariha and Rama, according to the main opposition coalition, the Syrian National Council.

From BBC

By a remarkable connection, though perhaps not by design, two names are brought together in this chapter representing very opposite phases of human character—Samuel and Nabal.

From Project Gutenberg

A descendant of the lion-hearted Judah and of the courageous Caleb, this Nabal came of a noble stock; but cursed with a narrow heart, a senseless head, and a grovelling nature, he fell as far below average humanity as his great ancestors had risen above it.

From Project Gutenberg

It is plain that in an equitable point of view Nabal owed much to David; but what he owed could not be enforced by an action at law, and Nabal was one of those poor creatures that acknowledge no other obligation.

From Project Gutenberg

With the quickness and instinctive certainty of a clever woman’s judgment, Abigail, Nabal’s wife, saw at once how things were going.

From Project Gutenberg