אַדּוֹן
Addon, apparently an Israelite
Definition
Addon is a proper noun referring to an individual mentioned in the context of the post-exilic community. The name appears in Nehemiah 7:61 in a list of those who could not prove their Israelite ancestry upon returning from the Babylonian exile. The name itself is likely a variant or intensive form of the Hebrew word 'adon,' meaning 'lord' or 'master,' suggesting a meaning like 'powerful' or 'my lord.' In the biblical narrative, Addon is not a major figure but represents one of the many families whose lineage was questioned during the crucial period of national and religious restoration under Nehemiah.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Nehemiah 7:61. It functions strictly as a personal name within a genealogical list. The context is administrative and historical, detailing the challenges of re-establishing the pure Israelite community after the exile. The name is listed among others whose family records were missing, disqualifying them from priestly service until clarification could be made.
Etymology
The name Addon (אַדּוֹן) is derived from the common Hebrew root אָדוֹן (H113, 'adon), meaning 'lord,' 'master,' or 'owner.' It is considered an intensive or perhaps a dialectical variant of that root, emphasizing the quality of power or authority. This pattern of forming personal names from divine titles or attributes (e.g., Adonijah, meaning 'Yahweh is my lord') was common in Semitic cultures.
Semantic Range
While the individual Addon is not theologically significant, the context of his mention carries weight. His inclusion in a list of those with disputed lineage highlights the theological importance of covenant identity, purity, and proper priestly succession during the restoration period (Ezra 2:59-63, Nehemiah 7:61-65). It underscores the community's diligent effort to re-establish itself according to God's law, ensuring the legitimacy of worship and national heritage.
In ancient Israelite culture, personal names often carried meaning, reflecting character, a parent's hope, or an attribute of God. A name like Addon, implying 'lord' or 'powerful,' would be a positive designation. The situation in Nehemiah 7 reflects the immense cultural and religious importance of documented genealogy, especially for priests, as it was tied to land rights, social status, and the right to participate in the temple worship.
אָדוֹן ('adon, H113) — The common noun for 'lord' or 'master,' from which the proper name Addon is derived.
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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