Phicol, also spelled Phichol (KJV) or Phikol, (Hebrew: פִיכֹל, meaning "great"; Latin: Phicol) was a Philistine military leader.

Phicol was the chief captain of the army of Abimelech, the Philistine king of Gerar. He entered into an alliance with Abraham with reference to a certain well which, from this circumstance, was called Beersheba, "the well of the oath" (Genesis 21:22,32; 26:26).[1]

The Phicol mentioned in Genesis 26:26 is in relation to an agreement between Isaac and Abimelech, whereas the Phicol mentioned in Genesis 21:22, 32 is in relation to an agreement between Abraham and Abimelech. Therefore, the name Phicol may be a namesake handed down through a generation or possibly even the name of a title (both are referred to as "commander of the army"), such as Abimelech. [2]

References

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  1. ^ Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897), "Phicol"
  2. ^ Walvoord, John F. and Zuck, Roy B. The Bible Knowledge Commentary, ChariotVictor Publishing, 1985, p. 71.