אֲדֹנִיקָם (a.do.ni.qam)
a.do.ni.qam
Adonikam
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Adonikam, meaning “my lord has risen,” appears only three times in the Hebrew Bible, specifically within the lists of returnees in Ezra 2:13 and Nehemiah 7:18. It identifies a specific clan leader whose family was among those who resettled Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile.
The etymology combines adon (“lord”) and qam (“to rise”), evoking a sense of awakening or restoration. This linguistic choice likely reflected the community’s hope for national revival after years of displacement. The name serves as a personal marker within larger genealogical records, anchoring individual identity to the collective story of return.
Its rare occurrence highlights the meticulous nature of post-exilic record-keeping, where lineage determined social and religious standing. By preserving names like Adonikam, the biblical text ensures that even minor figures remain part of Israel’s enduring heritage.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Adonikam means “my lord has risen,” a phrase that carries deep resonance for anyone who has experienced displacement or loss. In Ezra and Nehemiah, this name marks a family among those who returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. It is not just a label but a declaration of hope, suggesting that God’s people were waking up to a new beginning.
Seeing Adonikam in these lists reminds us that our stories matter to God. Even when we feel like small parts of a larger history, our presence is recorded and valued. The meticulous records of returnees show that God cares about individual identities within the collective journey of faith. This word invites us to trust that restoration is possible, even after long seasons of waiting.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Adonikam3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֲדֹ֣נִיקָ֔ם2×
- אֲדֹנִיקָם֮1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 2:13
The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty-six.
This verse lists Adonikam’s family among the primary returnees, anchoring their identity in the restored community.
-
Nehemiah 7:18
The children of Adonikam: six hundred sixty-seven.
The slight difference in numbers here compared to Ezra highlights the careful preservation of lineage during the rebuilding efforts.
-
Ezra 8:13
Of the sons of Adonikam, who were the last, their names are: Eliphelet, Jeuel, and Shemaiah; and with them sixty males.
This passage mentions Adonikam’s sons, showing how the name continued through generations as the community re-established itself.