AHUZZATH.The friend of Abimelech, the Philistine of Gerar, mentioned on the occasion when the latter made a league with Isaac at Beersheba (Gen_26:26). The position of kings friend may possibly have been an official one, and the title a technical one (cf. 1Ki_4:5, 1Ch_27:33). The rendering of the LXX [Note: Septuagint.] gives a different conception, that of pronubus, or friend of the bridegroom.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
Edited by James Hastings, D.D. Published in 1909
"Friend" (oriental kings have usually such favorites) of the Philistine king Abimelech in his interview with Isaac (Gen_26:28). Jerome and the Chaldee Targum explains "a company of friends." The ending -ath appears in other Philistine names, Gath, Goliath, Timnath.
Fausset's Bible Dictionary
By Andrew Robert Fausset, co-Author of Jamieson, Fausset and Brown's 1888.
Ahuz'zath. (possessions). One of the friends of the Philistine, king Abimelech, who accompanied him at his interview with Isaac. Gen_26:26. (B.C. about 1877).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
By Dr. William Smith.Published in 1863
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 (Gen_26:26). The termination ?-ath? reminds us of Philistine proper names, such as Gath, Goliath, etc. Compare Genubath (1Ki_11:20).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PRINTER 1915.
Ahuz?zath (possession), the 'friend' of Abimelech II, king of Gerar, who attended him on his visit to Isaac (Gen_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.
The Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
by John Kitto.
Ahuzzath
(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 (Gen_26:26), B.C. cir. 1985.
CYCLOPEDIA OF BIBLICAL, THEOLOGICAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL
press 1895.