עַבְדָּא (av.da)
av.da
Abda
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Abda, or עַבְדָּא in Hebrew, literally means "servant of Jehovah." It appears only twice in the Old Testament, linking two distinct individuals from different eras of Israel's history. In 1 Kings 4:6, it identifies a Levite during the United Monarchy who is the father of Adoram, an official under King Solomon.
The second mention occurs in Nehemiah 11:17 and 1 Chronicles 9:16, where Abda is described as a Levite and gatekeeper responsible for overseeing the gates of the Tabernacle. This later figure is also identified as Obadiah, son of Shemaiah, suggesting that Abda was likely a shorter form or variant of that more common name. Both bearers of the name reflect a life dedicated to serving God within the temple structure.
As a personal name, Abda emphasizes devotion rather than status. It does not appear in later Jewish literature or the New Testament, making it a rare linguistic footprint in biblical Hebrew. Its brevity and meaning highlight how ordinary Israelites expressed their faith through names that acknowledged divine ownership and service.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Abda carries a simple but profound meaning: servant of Jehovah. In the Old Testament, this title appears only twice, attached to men who held specific roles in Israel’s religious and civic life. One served during Solomon’s reign, managing labor for the kingdom, while another stood as a gatekeeper at the temple after the exile. Both individuals are identified by their function rather than their fame, reminding us that service is often quiet and unseen.
For believers today, this word invites reflection on how we define our own roles. It suggests that faithfulness in small, steady duties matters deeply to God. Whether managing resources or guarding sacred spaces, these ancient figures show that devotion is not about public recognition but about faithful presence. Their names endure as testaments to ordinary people who dedicated their lives to divine service.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Abda1×
- Abda1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עַבְדָּ֖א1×
- וְ/עַבְדָּא֙1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 4:6
Ahishar was over the household; and Adoniram the son of Abda was over the men subject to forced labor.
This verse identifies Abda as the father of Adoram, linking him to the administrative structure of Solomon’s kingdom and highlighting how family lineage played a role in civic leadership.
-
Nehemiah 11:17
and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who was the chief to begin the thanksgiving in prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brothers; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
Here Abda is listed among the gatekeepers responsible for the temple gates, showing his direct involvement in maintaining worship practices during the post-exilic restoration.