Generally the father’s brother. There are various persons in the Bible who are obviously uncles, but the term “uncle” is used rarely. In Leviticus (Lev 10:4; Lev 20:20; Lev 25:49;) it is used to mean a close kinsman who could function as the “redeemer” if an Israelite was forced to sell part of his patrimony. Elsewhere the term refers to Saul’s uncle, Abner (1Sam 10:14-16; 1Sam 14:50); David’s uncle, Jonathan (1Chr 27:32); Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle (2Kgs 24:17); Abihail, the father of Esther and uncle of Mordecai (Esth 2:7; Esth 2:15); and Shallum, the uncle of Jeremiah (Jer 32:7-12).
