הֲדַד (ha.dad)
ha.dad
Hadad
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Hadad appears eleven times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily within genealogical lists and historical narratives concerning Edom. It means "mighty" or "thunderer," a meaning that aligns with its usage for several distinct figures across different eras of Israel’s early history.
Lexical sources identify at least four individuals bearing this name. The earliest is a descendant of Ishmael listed in Genesis 36:35, followed by two kings of Edom mentioned in 1 Kings and 1 Chronicles who ruled during the time of Saul and David. A fourth figure, also named Hadad, was a member of the Edomite royal house who fled to Egypt after Joab’s massacre and later returned to challenge Solomon’s rule.
Though these men are separated by generations and roles, the repetition of the name suggests it was a significant title within Edomite royalty. The sources do not link them as the same person but note their shared cultural context. This pattern highlights how names carried weight in ancient Near Eastern societies, often reflecting status or divine association rather than just personal identity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Hadad appears in the Bible as a marker of strength and identity within ancient Edomite history. It belongs to several distinct figures, from early kings listed in Genesis to an adversary who challenged Solomon’s reign. These records show how names carried cultural weight, often reflecting status or divine association rather than just personal identity.
For your faith, these accounts remind us that God’s sovereignty extends over all nations and rulers, not just Israel. Even when figures like Hadad sought power or refuge in Egypt, the biblical narrative places them within a larger story of divine purpose. This perspective helps us see history not as random events, but as a tapestry where every life is known and accounted for by God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Hadad10×
- and/ Hadad2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הֲדָ֑ד3×
- הֲדַ֣ד3×
- וַ/הֲדַ֞ד1×
- וַ/הֲדַ֖ד1×
- הֲדָ֑ד\ \ס1×
- הֲדַד֙1×
- הֲדַ֥ד1×
- הֲדַ֔ד1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 11:14
Yahweh raised up an adversary to Solomon: Hadad the Edomite. He was one of the king’s offspring in Edom.
This verse introduces Hadad as a specific adversary raised up by Yahweh against Solomon, highlighting divine sovereignty over political conflict.
-
Genesis 36:35
Husham died, and Hadad, the son of Bedad, who struck Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his place. The name of his city was Avith.
This occurrence lists Hadad among early Edomite kings, showing the name's presence in genealogical records long before the monarchy.
-
I Kings 11:21
When Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers, and that Joab the captain of the army was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, “Let me depart, that I may go to my own country.”
Here Hadad requests permission to return home after hearing of David’s death, illustrating the political tensions between Edom and Israel.