Lexical Definition
אֲדֹנִיָּה ʼĂdônîyâh (ad-o-nee-yaw') Adonijah N:N-M-P
original (prolonged) אֲדֹנִיָּהוּ ʼĂdônîyâhûw (ad-o-nee-yaw'-hoo) ; from אָדוֹן and יָהּ; lord (i.e. worshipper) of Jah
Adonijah.
- § Adonijah = "my lord is Jehovah"
- Adonijah, the name of three Israelites
1) fourth son of David and Solomon's rival for the throne
2) Levite sent by Jehoshaphat to teach the Law
3) a chief of the people who co-operated with Nehemiah
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| וַאֲדֹ֨נִיָּ֧הוּ | and Adonijah | 2Chr.17.8 |
Extended Information
- A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 2Ch.17.8
Brown-Driver-Briggs
(אֲדֹיִּנָה) אֲדֹנִיָּ֫הוּ proper name, masculine (my Lord is Yahweh, compare Phoenician אדנאשמן, אדנבעל, אדנשמש etc., in Assyrian Aduniba' al SchrKB II, 172)
1. fourth son of David 1Kgs 1:8 + 11 t., 1Kgs 2:13 + 5 t. (= אֲדֹנִיָּה 2Sam 3:4; 1Kgs 1:5; 1Kgs 1:7; 1Kgs 1:18; 1Kgs 2:28; 1Chr 3:2).
2. a Levite 2Chr 17:8.
3. a chief of the people Neh 10:17* (= אֲדֹנִיקָם Neh 7:18; Ezra 2:13 compare Ezra 8:13).
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| 2 Samuel | 3:4 |
| 1 Kings | 1:5 · 1:7 · 1:8 · 1:18 · 2:13 · 2:28 |
| 1 Chronicles | 3:2 |
| 2 Chronicles | 17:8 |
| Ezra | 2:13 · 8:13 |
| Nehemiah | 7:18 · 10:17* |
Profile
Male • Levite sent by Jehoshaphat to teach the Law
Man living at the time of Divided Monarchy
Adonijah was one of the Levites King Jehoshaphat sent to teach the Book of the Law in the cities of Judah.
- A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 2Ch.17.8;
- only referred to as Adonijah אֲדֹנִיָּה.
Adonijah is mentioned in 2 Chronicles 17:8 as one of the Levites commissioned by King Jehoshaphat to teach the Book of the Law throughout the cities of Judah. Jehoshaphat, known for his devotion to God, sought to strengthen the spiritual foundation of his kingdom by sending out teachers to instruct the people in the ways of the Lord.
Adonijah, along with other Levites, priests, and officials, was entrusted with the task of traveling to the cities of Judah and educating the people about the Law of God. This educational mission was part of Jehoshaphat's reforms to bring the nation back to the proper worship and obedience to the Lord.
The inclusion of Adonijah in this group of teachers highlights the importance of the Levites' role in preserving and transmitting the knowledge of God's Law to the people. As a Levite, Adonijah would have been well-versed in the scriptures and equipped to teach others.
Apart from this brief mention, no other details are provided about Adonijah's background, family, or personal life. His participation in this teaching mission, however, underscores the significance of religious education and the collaborative effort between the king and the Levites to promote spiritual renewal in Judah.
All entries for Adonijah: אֲדֹנִיָּה