אַדָּר (ad.dar)
ad.dar
Addar
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The name Addar appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, referring to two distinct figures or places within the tribe of Benjamin and the territory of Judah. In one instance, it identifies a man from the genealogy of Benjamin, specifically the son of Bela and grandson of Benjamin himself (1 Chronicles 8:3). This Addar is listed among several brothers, including Naaman and Ezbon, marking him as part of the early tribal lineage during the time of the Exodus.
The second occurrence points to a city named Addar, located in the region of Judah near Edom (Joshua 15:3). The name itself is traditionally interpreted to mean "exceeding glorious" or possibly "noble," though its exact etymology remains somewhat obscure. As a place name, it serves as a geographical marker for the southern borders of Judah’s inheritance, grounding the tribal allotments in specific, tangible locations.
Because Addar is so rare in Scripture, it does not carry broad theological weight or narrative prominence. Instead, it functions primarily as a historical detail, helping to map the distribution of the tribe of Benjamin and the boundaries of Judah. Its dual usage—one personal, one geographical—illustrates how names in ancient Israel often served to anchor identity within both family lines and land.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Addar appears only twice in Scripture, grounding us in the tangible reality of God’s historical work. In Joshua, it marks a specific location on Judah’s southern border, reminding us that God’s promises were fulfilled in real places with real boundaries. This detail shows that the land inheritance was not abstract but mapped out with precision.
In Chronicles, Addar is listed as a son of Bela within the tribe of Benjamin. Though he does not lead armies or speak to kings, his name is preserved in the genealogy. This inclusion affirms that every member of God’s people matters. Their identities are recorded, ensuring that no one in the covenant community is forgotten by history.
These brief references invite us to trust in a God who remembers His people individually and collectively. Whether through land or lineage, Scripture confirms that God keeps His word. We can find comfort in knowing that our own stories, however quiet they may seem, are held within His larger narrative of faithfulness and promise.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Addar/ towards1×
- Addar1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אַדָּ֥ר1×
- אַדָּ֔רָ/ה1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 15:3
and it went out southward of the ascent of Akrabbim, and passed along to Zin, and went up by the south of Kadesh Barnea, and passed along by Hezron, went up to Addar, and turned toward Karka;
This verse anchors the name Addar to a physical boundary in Judah, showing how God’s territorial promises were mapped with specific geographic markers.
-
I Chronicles 8:3
Bela had sons: Addar, Gera, Abihud,
Here Addar is identified as a son of Bela, illustrating how genealogies preserved the identity of ordinary tribal members within Benjamin's lineage.