עַדְלַי
Adlai, an Israelite
Definition
Adlai is a proper name belonging to an Israelite mentioned in the Old Testament. He is identified as the father of Shaphat, who served as an overseer of King David's herds in the lowlands (1 Chronicles 27:29). The name appears only in this genealogical and administrative context, designating a specific individual within the tribal and royal structure of Israel. There are no other biblical senses or meanings for this name.
Biblical Usage
The name 'Adlai' is used only once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 27:29. It functions strictly as a patronymic, identifying the father of Shaphat, one of David's officials responsible for the king's livestock. Its usage is confined to this administrative list within the Chronicler's record of David's organized kingdom.
Etymology
The etymology of 'Adlai' (עַדְלַי) is uncertain. It is likely derived from an unused Hebrew root, and its precise meaning is lost. Some scholars suggest a possible connection to roots implying 'justice' or 'ornament,' but these are speculative. It remains a personal name of opaque origin.
Semantic Range
As a personal name in ancient Israel, 'Adlai' reflects the common practice of using meaningful (though now often obscure) names. Its appearance in 1 Chronicles 27 highlights the detailed organization of David's kingdom, where even overseers of livestock were appointed from prominent families, indicating the importance of stewardship and administrative order in the national life of Israel.
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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