### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew name **Nêr**, represented by `{{H5369}}`, identifies a key Israelite figure in the lineage of King Saul. It appears **16 times** across **16 unique verses** in the Bible. The name is primarily used to establish patriarchal connections, linking Ner to his famous son, Abner, and his grandson, King Saul.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H5369}}` functions almost exclusively as a genealogical marker. He is identified as the father of Abner, the **captain** `{{H8269}}` of Saul's **host** `{{H6635}}` [[1 Samuel 14:50]]. This connection is repeated throughout the accounts of Abner's life and death, such as when Joab is accused of slaying "Abner the son of **Ner**" [[1 Kings 2:32]]. The genealogies in Chronicles also establish **Ner** as the father of Kish, which makes him the grandfather of King Saul ([[1 Chronicles 8:33]], [[1 Chronicles 9:39]]). Another passage notes that **Ner**, the father of Abner, was the son of Abiel [[1 Samuel 14:51]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words clarify the context in which **Ner** is mentioned:
* `{{H74}}` **ʼAbnêr** (Abner): Defined as "father of light," this is the name of Ner's son. Nearly every mention of `{{H5369}}` is to identify him as the father of **Abner**, a central military figure in Saul's kingdom [[2 Samuel 2:8]].
* `{{H8269}}` **sar** (captain): This title is consistently applied to Ner's son, Abner, who was the "**captain** of his [Saul's] host" [[1 Samuel 26:5]]. It denotes his high rank and position as a head person or ruler.
* `{{H2026}}` **hârag** (to smite with deadly intent): This word describes the violent end of Ner's son, Abner. David recounts how Joab **slew** Abner, a pivotal event in the consolidation of David's kingdom [[1 Kings 2:5]].
### Theological Significance
The historical weight of `{{H5369}}` is tied to the lineage and conflicts of Israel's early monarchy.
* **Royal Ancestry:** Ner is a foundational figure in the genealogy of Israel's first king. He is recorded as the father of Kish, who in turn was the father of Saul ([[1 Chronicles 8:33]], [[1 Chronicles 9:39]]). This places him at the root of the Saulide dynasty.
* **Father of Military Power:** Ner's identity is inextricably linked to his son, Abner, the **captain** `{{H8269}}` of Saul's **host** `{{H6635}}` [[1 Samuel 14:50]]. This connection situates Ner's family at the center of the military and political power structure of the time.
* **Legacy in Conflict:** The name Ner appears in the context of the bloody transition of power from Saul to David. The murder of "Abner the son of **Ner**" by Joab is a significant event, for which David formally declared his and his kingdom's innocence from the **blood** `{{H1818}}` guilt ([[2 Samuel 3:28]], [[1 Kings 2:32]]).
### Summary
In summary, `{{H5369}}` is more than a name; it is a vital genealogical link in the history of ancient Israel. While **Nêr** himself is not a main actor, his identity as the father of Abner and an ancestor of King Saul is crucial for understanding the family lines, military leadership, and political turmoil of the period. His mentions anchor the narrative, connecting the house of Saul to its military power and its eventual, violent end.
TRV