אַדְבְּאֵל (ad.be.el)
ad.be.el
Adbeel
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Adbeel appears only twice in Scripture, identifying him as the third son of Ishmael and a grandson of Abraham (Genesis 25:13; 1 Chronicles 1:30). His brief mention places him within the genealogical records that trace the lineage of the Arab tribes descending from Abraham through his firstborn.
Etymologically, Adbeel means "chastened of God" or "disciplined by God." This meaning reflects a common pattern in patriarchal naming, where personal names express theological reflection on God’s interaction with the family. As part of Ishmael’s twelve sons, Adbeel represents one branch of a larger tribal confederation that would shape the history of the region.
Though no narrative details surround Adbeel himself, his inclusion in these genealogies underscores the biblical emphasis on lineage and covenant continuity. The sources highlight how names like his preserve memory of God’s faithfulness to Abraham’s household, even through branches outside the primary line of promise.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Adbeel carries a quiet weight, meaning "chastened of God" or "disciplined by God." In Genesis 25:13 and 1 Chronicles 1:30, he is listed among the sons of Ishmael, tracing Abraham’s lineage through his firstborn. While no specific story highlights Adbeel himself, his name preserves a theological truth about God’s interaction with this branch of the family.
For believers today, these genealogies remind us that God’s faithfulness extends beyond the primary line of promise to encompass broader tribal histories. The inclusion of names like Adbeel underscores how Scripture values every branch of Abraham’s household. It invites us to see God’s discipline not as rejection, but as a formative part of His ongoing relationship with His people.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Adbeel2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/אַדְבְּאֵ֖ל2×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 25:13
These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to the order of their birth: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
This verse places Adbeel in the birth order of Ishmael’s sons, establishing his identity within the patriarchal narrative.
-
I Chronicles 1:29
These are their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
The chronicler repeats this lineage to affirm the historical continuity of Ishmael’s descendants for post-exilic readers.