עֲדָיָ֫הוּ (a.da.yah)
a.da.yah
Adaiah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Adaiah, meaning "Jehovah has adorned Himself," appears eight times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily within the genealogical records of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles. It functions as a proper noun for several distinct individuals rather than describing a theological concept or action. These bearers of the name span various social and religious roles, from Levites and priests to laymen who returned from exile.
Among the most notable figures is Adaiah of Boscath, the maternal grandfather of King Josiah (2 Kings 22:1). His mention anchors Josiah’s lineage in the lowlands of Judah, providing historical context for the king’s reforms. Other instances list descendants who married foreign wives during the post-exilic period, highlighting the community’s efforts to maintain distinct religious identity under Ezra’s leadership.
The recurrence of this name underscores a common ancient practice: embedding praise for God within personal identity. By naming children with references to divine adornment or glory, families affirmed that their status and heritage belonged to Yahweh. The text preserves these names not as mere data, but as evidence of ordinary people living out their faith in specific historical moments.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Adaiah carries a quiet but powerful meaning: "Jehovah has adorned Himself." In ancient Israel, names were not just labels; they were prayers and declarations of faith woven into daily life. When families chose this name, they acknowledged that their worth and identity came from God alone, who clothes His people with dignity and purpose.
Throughout the Bible, we see ordinary men named Adaiah—Levites, priests, and family heads—who played specific roles in restoring Judah after exile. Their stories remind us that God uses everyday people to build His community. Whether serving in the temple or helping rebuild Jerusalem’s social structure, these individuals lived out their faithfulness in tangible ways.
Today, this name invites us to reflect on how we view our own identity. We are not defined by our achievements alone but by the One who adorns us with grace and purpose. Like Adaiah’s descendants, we can trust that God is actively shaping our lives and using us for His glory in both small and significant moments.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Adaiah5×
- Adaiah3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עֲדָיָ֧ה1×
- עֲדָיָ֛הוּ1×
- עֲדָ֖יָה1×
- וַ֠/עֲדָיָה1×
- וַ/עֲדָיָה֙1×
- וַ/עֲדָיָֽה\׃1×
- וַ/עֲדָיָ֧ה1×
- וַ/עֲדָיָ֔ה1×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 22:1
Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath.
This verse identifies Adaiah as the grandfather of King Josiah, anchoring the reforming king’s lineage to a specific family in Bozkath.
-
I Chronicles 9:12
and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah; and Maasai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer;
Adaiah appears here as a priestly descendant of Pashhur, highlighting his role in the restored temple service after the exile.
-
Ezra 10:29
Of the sons of Bani: Meshullam, Malluch, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Jeremoth.
Listed among those who had married foreign wives, Adaiah’s inclusion shows the community’s collective effort to maintain religious distinctiveness under Ezra’s leadership.
-
Nehemiah 11:5
and Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Colhozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of the Shilonite.
This genealogy traces Adaiah’s line back through Joiarib and Zechariah, preserving his family’s heritage within the returned exiles who settled in Jerusalem.