עַבְדוֹן
Abdon, the name of a place in Palestine and of four Israelites
Definition
Abdon (עַבְדוֹן) is a proper noun used in the Old Testament primarily as a personal name for four different individuals and as a place name. As a personal name, it refers to: (1) a judge of Israel from Pirathon who had forty sons and thirty grandsons (Judges 12:13-15); (2) a son of Shashak from the tribe of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 8:23); (3) a son of Jeiel from the tribe of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 8:30, 9:36); and (4) an official under King Josiah sent to consult the prophetess Huldah (2 Chronicles 34:20). As a place name, Abdon was a city in the territory of Asher, given to the Levites (Joshua 21:30, 1 Chronicles 6:74).
Biblical Usage
The name Abdon appears eight times in the Old Testament across historical books. It is used in genealogical lists (1 Chronicles 8:23, 8:30, 9:36), in descriptions of Levitical cities (Joshua 21:30, 1 Chronicles 6:74), in the narrative of the judges (Judges 12:13, 12:15), and in the account of Josiah's reforms (2 Chronicles 34:20). Its usage is consistently as a proper name without variation in meaning across contexts.
Etymology
The name Abdon derives from the Hebrew root עָבַד (ʿābad, H5647), meaning 'to serve' or 'to work.' It is a masculine noun form meaning 'servitude' or 'service,' and thus the name likely carries the sense of 'servant' or 'one who serves.' It is related to the common noun עֶבֶד (ʿeved, H5650), meaning 'slave' or 'servant.' The similar name עֶבְרֹן (ʿEbron, H5683) is noted for comparison but is a distinct name.
Semantic Range
While primarily a name, its etymological connection to service (עבד) can be theologically suggestive. The individuals named Abdon, particularly the judge and Josiah's official, served roles in Israel's leadership and religious life. This subtly echoes the biblical theme that God often works through faithful servants, a concept foundational to Israel's identity as a people serving Yahweh. Understanding the root meaning enriches the recognition that names in Scripture often carried meaningful connotations about character or divine purpose.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were often significant and descriptive. A name like Abdon ('servant') may have reflected parental hopes for the child's character or acknowledged dependence on God. The judge Abdon's large family (forty sons and thirty grandsons) signifies wealth, status, and legacy in that societal framework, as a numerous family was a mark of blessing and influence.
עֶבֶד (ʿeved, H5650) — The common noun for 'slave' or 'servant,' from which the name Abdon is derived. עָבַד (ʿābad, H5647) — The verbal root meaning 'to serve,' 'to work,' or 'to worship.'
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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