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) |
|---|---|---|
| אֲדֹנִיָּ֥ה | Adonijah | Neh.10.16 |
Extended Information
- A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Neh.10.16
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 • Returned leader • Levite who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah
Man living at the time of Exile and Return
Adonijah was one of the Levites who sealed the covenant led by Nehemiah to follow the Law of God.
- A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Neh.10.16;
- only referred to as Adonijah אֲדֹנִיָּה.
Adonijah is listed in Nehemiah 10:16 as one of the Levites who sealed the covenant made by the people of Israel during the time of Nehemiah. After the completion of the wall of Jerusalem and the public reading of the Law, the people made a solemn covenant to follow God's commandments and to maintain the worship and service in the temple.
Nehemiah, the governor, along with the priests, Levites, and leaders of the people, signed and sealed this covenant as a binding commitment to God (Nehemiah 9:38). Adonijah's inclusion in this list indicates his leadership role among the Levites and his dedication to the spiritual renewal of the community.
The covenant included various obligations, such as observing the Sabbath, providing for the temple service, and refraining from intermarriage with the surrounding nations (Nehemiah 10:28-39). By sealing the covenant, Adonijah and the other leaders pledged themselves and the people to follow these commitments faithfully.
Apart from this mention in the list of those who sealed the covenant, no other information is provided about Adonijah's specific role, background, or personal life. His participation in this significant event, however, highlights the importance of the Levites' leadership and their commitment to the spiritual well-being of the community during the post-exilic period.
All entries for Adonijah: אֲדֹנִיָּה