אַדָּן (ad.dan)
ad.dan
Addan
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 Addan refers to a specific location in ancient Babylonia, mentioned only once in the Bible at Ezra 2:59. The name itself translates to "strong" or "firm," likely describing a fortified settlement or a place of stability within the empire where Jewish exiles lived.
This single reference appears in the list of families returning from Babylonian captivity. The text notes that members of this community could not prove their Israelite lineage because their records were lost, highlighting how displacement disrupted family histories. The word is sometimes associated with a variant spelling, Addon, suggesting it was a known place name to those tracking their heritage.
As a geographical marker, Addan serves as a quiet reminder of the diaspora experience. It grounds the biblical narrative in real-world locations where people maintained their identity despite political upheaval and the loss of documentation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Addan appears in a list of families returning from exile, yet it carries a quiet weight beyond its simple geography. It marks a place where people lost their records and struggled to prove who they were. For many today, this resonates with moments when identity feels fragile or history seems out of reach.
God’s care does not depend on perfect documentation or clear lineage. Even when our roots feel obscured by time or circumstance, we are known by name. This single mention reminds us that belonging is secured not by human proof, but by divine remembrance.
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.
- אַדָּ֖ן1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 2:59
These were those who went up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer; but they could not show their fathers’ houses and their offspring, whether they were of Israel:
This verse lists Addan among towns whose residents could not prove their Israelite lineage, highlighting the vulnerability of identity during the return from exile.