עַבְדִּי (av.di)
av.di
Abdi
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 Abdi, meaning "servant of Jehovah," appears only three times in the Hebrew Bible, linking individuals across distinct eras of Israel’s history. It identifies a Merarite Levite who served as an ancestor of Ethan the singer during the time of King Hezekiah (1 Chronicles 6:44; 2 Chronicles 29:12). This Abdi is noted as the father of Kishi, placing him within the musical lineage responsible for temple worship.
The name also surfaces in the post-exilic period, where it designates a man from the family of Elam who had married a foreign wife (Ezra 10:26). In this context, Abdi is one of those required to put away their foreign spouses as part of the community’s covenant renewal. The recurrence of this name highlights both the continuity of Levitical service and the challenges faced by returned exiles in maintaining religious distinctiveness.
Etymologically, Abdi combines the root עבד ("servant") with the divine suffix י (Yah), a common pattern in Hebrew names that affirms loyalty to God. While not a major theological term, its usage underscores how personal identity was often rooted in devotion to Yahweh, whether in temple service or in the difficult work of rebuilding community after exile.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Abdi means 'servant of Jehovah.' It appears in two very different moments in Israel’s history. In 2 Chronicles, it identifies a Levite ancestor in the musical line of Ethan. This shows how families were set apart for worship long before the exile. The name reminds us that serving God is often a quiet, generational work.
Centuries later, Ezra mentions an Abdi who had to make a hard choice about his marriage. This highlights the cost of staying faithful when culture pulls in another direction. Both instances show that being a servant of God involves both joyful praise and difficult decisions.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Abdi1×
- Abdi1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עַבְדִּ֔י1×
- וְ/עַבְדִּ֔י1×
Key Verses
-
II Chronicles 29:12
Then the Levites arose: Mahath, the son of Amasai, and Joel the son of Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites; and of the sons of Merari, Kish the son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of Jehallelel; and of the Gershonites, Joah the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son of Joah;
This verse places Abdi in the Merarite Levitical line, showing his family's role in temple music under King Hezekiah.
-
Ezra 10:26
Of the sons of Elam: Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah.
Here Abdi is listed among those who ended foreign marriages to renew the covenant after the exile.