אַדּוֹן (ad.don)
ad.don
Addon
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun adon typically means "lord" or "master," but in this specific instance (H0114), it appears as a proper name, Addon. This form is rare, occurring only once in the entire Old Testament, in Nehemiah 7:61. Here, it identifies one of the Israelites whose lineage could not be verified among the family records after the return from exile.
Lexical sources suggest this name may be a variant or alternative spelling of Addan (H0135), another figure listed in the same genealogical section. While the root adon generally conveys authority or power, its use here as a personal name likely reflects a common practice of deriving individual names from titles of respect or divine attributes. The text does not elaborate on his role beyond listing him among those seeking to prove their priestly heritage.
This single occurrence highlights the meticulous attention to genealogy in Nehemiah’s community. Names like Addon were not merely labels but markers of identity and covenant belonging. When lineage was unclear, individuals with such names stood at the intersection of personal history and communal restoration, illustrating how even obscure figures played a part in reestablishing Israel’s social and religious structure.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When you read Nehemiah 7:61, you encounter a name that barely registers in history books: Addon. He is listed among those who returned from exile but could not prove their family lineage. In a community obsessed with identity and purity, this man stands as a quiet example of uncertainty. His story reminds us that belonging to God’s people is not always about perfect records or clear ancestry.
Even when our spiritual heritage feels obscure or our past is tangled, we are still part of the restoration narrative. The text does not condemn Addon; it simply places him in the list of those seeking clarity. This shows that God’s work includes every individual, even those whose stories are incomplete. You do not need a flawless pedigree to be known by Him.
His name, likely derived from a term for 'lord,' hints at a deeper truth: our ultimate identity comes from our Master, not our family tree. In moments of doubt or obscurity, remember that your place in God’s kingdom is secure, regardless of what earthly records say.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Addon1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אַדּ֖וֹן1×
Key Verses
-
Nehemiah 7:61
These were those who went up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer; but they could not show their fathers’ houses, nor their offspring, whether they were of Israel:
This verse identifies Addon as one of the individuals who could not verify his priestly lineage, highlighting the importance of genealogical records in post-exilic Judah.