אַרְדּוֹן
Ardon, an Israelite
Definition
Ardon is a proper name referring to an individual in the genealogy of Judah. He is identified as a son of Caleb by his wife Azubah, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 2:18. The name appears only in this genealogical list, which traces the lineage from Judah through Hezron and Caleb. As a proper name, it carries no other semantic senses or meanings in the biblical text beyond identifying this specific person within Israel's tribal history.
Biblical Usage
The word is used exclusively once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 2:18, within a genealogical context. It functions solely as a personal name in the lineage of Caleb, son of Hezron, from the tribe of Judah. There are no patterns of usage across different books or narrative contexts, as it is confined to this single list.
Etymology
The name אַרְדּוֹן (ʼArdôwn) is derived from the same root as H714 (אַרְדְּ), which relates to roaming or wandering. It is likely a diminutive or patronymic form, meaning 'little wanderer' or 'descendant of a wanderer.' This connects it conceptually to the idea of movement or nomadic life, a common theme in Hebrew names describing character or destiny.
Semantic Range
While the name Ardon itself is not theologically loaded, its placement in the genealogy of Judah (1 Chronicles 2:18) connects it to the messianic line. Genealogies in Chronicles emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises through specific family lines. Understanding that even minor names like Ardon are preserved highlights the meticulous care with which God records His people and fulfills His plan through history, enriching our view of Scripture's detail.
In ancient Israelite culture, names often conveyed meaning about an individual's character, circumstances at birth, or parental hopes. A name meaning 'wanderer' or related to roaming might reflect a family's experiences, social status, or tribal history. As a name listed in a royal Judahite genealogy, it signifies belonging and identity within the covenant community, even if the individual's story is not narrated.
Caleb (Kāleb, H3612) — Ardon's father, another name in the same lineage. Hezron (Chesrôn, H2696) — Ardon's grandfather, a key figure in Judah's genealogy.
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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