רַדַּי (rad.day)
rad.day
Raddai
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
Raddai appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, listed as the fifth son of Jesse and a brother of King David in 1 Chronicles 2:14. The name itself likely means "trampling," derived from the root for treading or pressing down. This etymology is notable because it contrasts with the more common naming patterns in royal genealogies, which often invoke God’s protection or blessing.
His inclusion in the list serves primarily to document the full lineage of Judah during the United Monarchy. While he does not play an active role in the narrative, his presence highlights the size and complexity of David’s family tree. The record preserves his identity alongside siblings like Eliab and Abinadab, ensuring that every branch of the house of Jesse is accounted for in the biblical text.
Translators typically render the name phonetically as Raddai without adding interpretive glosses. This approach respects the limited data available, acknowledging that while we know his position in the family and the probable meaning of his name, no further historical details about his life are provided in Scripture.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Raddai appears in the genealogy of David, listing him as the fifth son of Jesse. While the meaning likely points to treading or pressing down, Scripture does not elaborate on his personal story. This silence is significant because it shows that God’s record includes those who remain behind the scenes.
For your faith, this reminds us that every member of a family line matters to God, even if their individual deeds are not recorded. You do not need to be in the spotlight to have a place in His story. Your presence in the community of believers is valued simply because you belong.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Raddai1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רַדַּ֖י1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 2:14
Nethanel the fourth, Raddai the fifth,
This verse places Raddai specifically as the fifth son, establishing his exact position within Jesse's family structure.