עֲדִיאֵל
Adiel, the name of three Israelites
Definition
Adiel is a Hebrew personal name meaning 'ornament of God' or 'adornment of God,' borne by three distinct individuals in the Old Testament. In 1 Chronicles 4:36, Adiel is listed among the Simeonite leaders. In 1 Chronicles 9:12, he is identified as the father of Maasai, a priest who returned from exile. In 1 Chronicles 27:25, Adiel is the father of Azmaveth, who was in charge of King David's royal storehouses. Each instance refers to a different person, but the name consistently signifies a person set apart or honored by God.
Biblical Usage
The name Adiel appears exclusively in the genealogical and administrative lists of 1 Chronicles. It is used for three different men: a Simeonite leader (1 Chronicles 4:36), the father of a post-exilic priest (1 Chronicles 9:12), and the father of a royal treasurer under David (1 Chronicles 27:25). This pattern shows the name was used across different tribes (Simeon, Levi) and social roles (leader, priestly lineage, royal official) in Israel's history.
Etymology
Derived from the Hebrew root words עֲדִי (ʿadî, H5716), meaning 'ornament' or 'adornment,' and אֵל (ʾēl, H410), the common noun for 'God.' It is a theophoric name, a common practice in Israel where names incorporated a divine element to express a relationship or attribute, in this case, being a 'decoration' or 'honor' to God.
Semantic Range
As a theophoric name meaning 'ornament of God,' Adiel reflects the Israelite belief that individuals and their families could be a source of beauty, honor, and glory to the Lord. It subtly communicates the idea that God's people are His treasured possession (Exodus 19:5) and are called to live in a way that adorns His character. Understanding this name enriches reading by highlighting how personal identity in ancient Israel was often intertwined with a declaration about God's nature and relationship with His people.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were deeply significant, often describing a hoped-for character, a circumstance of birth, or an attribute of God. Adiel, as a name given to a leader, a priestly ancestor, and the father of a royal official, suggests families aspired for their sons to be living testimonies that bring honor to Yahweh. It differs from a modern name, which is often chosen for sound over meaning.
Azarel (ʿĂzarʾēl, H5832) — means 'God has helped'; another theophoric name emphasizing God's action. Eliab (ʾĔlîʾāb, H446) — means 'My God is father'; a theophoric name focusing on God's relational role.
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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