עַדְרִיאֵל (ad.ri.el)
ad.ri.el
Adriel
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 Adriel means "flock of God" and appears only twice in Scripture, both times in the narrative of King Saul’s reign (1 Samuel 18:19; 2 Samuel 21:8). Lexical sources identify him as the son of Barzillai and the man to whom Saul gave his daughter Merab in marriage. This union occurred after Saul had initially promised Merab to David, a political maneuver that highlights the turbulent family dynamics within the royal house.
While Adriel himself is not a central figure in Israel’s history, his name carries theological weight through its etymology. The components `edar` ("flock") and `El` ("God") suggest a life under divine care or provision. However, the biblical text focuses on his role as Saul’s son-in-law rather than his personal faith or deeds. His later mention in 2 Samuel 21:8 concerns the burial of his five grandsons, linking him to the tragic aftermath of Saul’s lineage.
Adriel serves as a minor but specific historical marker in the transition from the period of the judges to the United Monarchy. His presence in the text underscores the complex web of alliances and conflicts surrounding Saul’s family. The brevity of his mentions emphasizes that while he was part of the royal circle, his story is secondary to the larger narrative of David’s rise and Saul’s fall.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Adriel means "flock of God," combining words for a group of sheep and the divine name El. This etymology suggests a life under God’s care, yet the biblical narrative places him in the shadow of King Saul’s turbulent family dynamics. He appears briefly when Saul gives his daughter Merab to him instead of David, highlighting political maneuvering rather than personal virtue or spiritual depth.
His second mention concerns the burial of his grandsons after Saul’s death, linking his lineage to the tragic aftermath of the royal house. While Adriel himself is not a central figure, his name reminds us that God’s care extends even to those on the margins of major biblical events. His story shows how divine providence works through complex human histories.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to/ Adriel2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/עַדְרִיאֵ֥ל2×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 18:19
But at the time when Merab, Saul’s daughter, should have been given to David, she was given to Adriel the Meholathite as wife.
This verse establishes Adriel’s role as Saul’s son-in-law, showing how political decisions in the royal family affected ordinary lives.
-
II Samuel 21:8
But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bore to Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Merab the daughter of Saul, whom she bore to Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite.
Here Adriel is mentioned posthumously through his grandsons, connecting his lineage to the consequences of Saul’s house.