חֲדַד (cha.dad)
cha.dad
Hadad
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
Chădad is a proper name found in only two verses, Genesis 25:15 and 1 Chronicles 1:30. It identifies one of the twelve sons of Ishmael, making him a grandson of Abraham and a patriarch of Arab lineage. The text lists him alongside his brothers, such as Nebaioth and Kedar, establishing his place within the early genealogical records of the Israelites’ northern neighbors.
The name translates to "mighty" or "strong." This meaning aligns with the character Hadad, the Edomite god mentioned later in Scripture, suggesting a shared linguistic root for power or strength among Semitic peoples. In these brief biblical mentions, the name serves primarily to document family connections rather than to describe personal deeds.
Its rarity in Scripture highlights how ancient genealogies functioned as historical anchors. By recording Chădad alongside his siblings, the biblical authors preserved the identity of Ishmael’s descendants, showing how these families were known and distinguished in the ancient Near East without elaborating on their individual stories.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Chădad appears in the Bible as a marker of identity rather than action. It belongs to one of Ishmael’s sons, placing him within the broader family tree that includes Abraham. These genealogies are not empty lists; they show how ancient writers valued lineage and connection.
For readers today, this reminds us that God’s story includes many families beyond Israel. The inclusion of Hadad in Genesis 25:15 and 1 Chronicles 1:30 affirms the reality of these relationships without requiring further detail about his life.
We can trust that Scripture records what is necessary for understanding God’s purposes. Whether a name appears once or many times, it serves to anchor history in truth. This quiet preservation invites us to appreciate the full scope of biblical heritage.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Hadad2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חֲדַ֥ד1×
- חֲדַ֣ד1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 25:15
Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah.
This verse places Hadad among his brothers, confirming his status as a son of Ishmael and grandson of Abraham within the patriarchal narrative.