עָדָה (a.dah)
a.dah
Adah
N:N-F-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-F-P
Word Overview
The name Adah, meaning ornament or beauty, appears eight times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily within the genealogies of Genesis. It identifies two distinct women who serve as matriarchs for early lineages, highlighting how names functioned to mark identity and heritage in ancient narratives.
In Genesis 4:19, Adah is the first wife of Lamech and the mother of Jabal and Jubal. These sons are credited with establishing the lifestyles of tent-dwelling herders and musicians, suggesting that Adah’s lineage contributed to the cultural foundations of early human society before the Flood.
A second woman named Adah appears in Genesis 36:2 as a Hittite wife of Esau. She is also referred to as Basemath in other passages and serves as the mother of Eliphaz, the firstborn of Esau. This repetition of the name across different branches of the patriarchal family illustrates its common usage during that period.
Though these figures do not engage in direct dialogue within the text, their inclusion in the biblical record preserves the ancestral connections essential to understanding the broader narrative of Israel’s origins and the diverse families of the ancient Near East.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Adah appears in Genesis to mark two distinct women who helped shape early human history. One was a wife of Lamech, linking her to the origins of pastoral life and music before the Flood. The other was a wife of Esau, connecting her to the founding of Edom. Though they do not speak in the text, their names anchor us in the reality that God knows every person by name.
When you read these genealogies, it is easy to feel distant from ancient figures. Yet this word reminds us that identity matters to God. He preserves the records of families who lived long ago so we might understand our shared human story. Their lives show that ordinary people play roles in larger divine plans.
This awareness brings comfort. You are not just a name in a list; you are known and remembered by the Creator. Whether your story feels significant or small, God sees it. His care extends across generations, weaving individual lives into a broader tapestry of grace and history that continues today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Adah6×
- [was] Adah1×
- O Adah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עָדָ֖ה2×
- עָדָה֙1×
- עָדָֽה\׃1×
- עָדָ֤ה1×
- עָדָ֛ה1×
- עָדָ֗ה1×
- עָדָ֔ה1×
Key Verses
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Genesis 4:19
Lamech took two wives: the name of the first one was Adah, and the name of the second one was Zillah.
This verse introduces Adah as the first wife of Lamech, establishing her role in the pre-Flood lineage.
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Genesis 4:20
Adah gave birth to Jabal, who was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.
Here Adah is identified as the mother of Jabal, linking her to the origins of tent-dwelling livestock herders.
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Genesis 36:2
Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah the daughter of Elon, the Hittite; and Oholibamah the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon, the Hivite;
This occurrence identifies Adah as a Hittite wife of Esau, showing how names connected different tribal families.
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Genesis 36:12
Timna was concubine to Eliphaz, Esau’s son; and she bore to Eliphaz Amalek. These are the descendants of Adah, Esau’s wife.
The text traces the descendants of Adah through Eliphaz, highlighting her lasting impact on the Edomite clans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Adah mean?
Are there two different women named Adah in the Bible?
Why are these women included in the Bible if they do not speak?
Every Occurrence (8 verses across 1 books)
Genesis 8 verses
Lamech took two wives: the name of the first one was Adah, and the name of the second one was Zillah.
Genesis 4:20Adah gave birth to Jabal, who was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.
Genesis 4:23Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice. You wives of Lamech, listen to my speech, for I have slain a…
Genesis 36:2Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah the daughter of Elon, the Hittite; and Oholibamah the daughter…
Genesis 36:4Adah bore to Esau Eliphaz. Basemath bore Reuel.
Genesis 36:10these are the names of Esau’s sons: Eliphaz, the son of Adah, the wife of Esau; and Reuel, the son of Basemath, the…
Genesis 36:12Timna was concubine to Eliphaz, Esau’s son; and she bore to Eliphaz Amalek. These are the descendants of Adah, Esau’s…
Genesis 36:16chief Korah, chief Gatam, chief Amalek. These are the chiefs who came of Eliphaz in the land of Edom. These are the…