Absaloms

Absaloms is a plural or general reference to individuals named Absalom. The given name Absalom derives from Hebrew Avshalom, formed from av (father) and shalom (peace). It is commonly interpreted as “my father is peace” or “father of peace” and has been used in Jewish and Christian contexts for centuries.

In biblical literature, Absalom most prominently refers to the son of King David in the Books of Samuel. Absalom is described as handsome and charismatic, and he organizes a rebellion against his father, ultimately dying in battle during the conflict near the forest of Ephraim. The narrative has been studied as a meditation on authority, family loyalty, and tragedy, and it has influenced later religious and secular literature.

Beyond the Bible, the name has appeared in modern fiction and culture. The title Absalom, Absalom! is a 1936 novel by William Faulkner that uses a family saga to explore memory and the history of the American South. In other works, characters named Absalom are often associated with themes of ambition, rebellion, or tragedy, reflecting the resonance of the biblical figure.

In genealogical or literary contexts, Absaloms may appear as the plural form when cataloging people named Absalom or discussing the name’s usage across cultures and eras. The term does not denote a single established group, but rather any individuals bearing the given name Absalom.