הֲדוֹרָם
Hadoram, a son of Joktan, and the tribe descended from him
Definition
Hadoram is a proper name referring to two distinct individuals in the Old Testament. Primarily, it denotes a son of Joktan, a descendant of Shem, and the ancestor of an Arabian tribe (Genesis 10:27, 1 Chronicles 1:21). In a separate context, Hadoram is the name of a royal official, either the son of King Tou of Hamath (1 Chronicles 18:10) or the taskmaster sent by King Rehoboam, who was killed during the revolt of the northern tribes (2 Chronicles 10:18). These are considered different individuals, with the name likely reflecting a title or a common name in the ancient Near East.
Biblical Usage
The name Hadoram appears in genealogical, historical, and political contexts. It is used in the Table of Nations (Genesis 10:27, 1 Chronicles 1:21) to trace Semitic lineage. Later, it appears in narratives concerning David's reign (1 Chronicles 18:10) and the division of the kingdom under Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 10:18). The usage shows the name was borne by both a tribal ancestor and officials in neighboring kingdoms and Israel itself.
Etymology
The etymology of הֲדוֹרָם (Hădôwrâm) is uncertain and considered 'probably of foreign derivation.' It does not have a clear Hebrew root. It may be related to the name Adoram (אֲדֹרָם, H151), a variant used for Rehoboam's official (1 Kings 12:18), suggesting a possible connection to elements meaning 'honor' or 'exaltation.' The name appears in similar forms in other ancient Semitic languages.
Semantic Range
While the name Hadoram itself is not theologically loaded, its appearances contribute to key biblical themes. In the Table of Nations, it underscores the fulfillment of God's command to multiply and fill the earth after the flood. The Hadoram in 2 Chronicles 10:18 plays a tragic role in the story of the kingdom's division, a pivotal moment of judgment stemming from Solomon's sin and Rehoboam's folly, highlighting the consequences of failed leadership and rejection of godly counsel.
As a personal name borne by an Arabian tribal ancestor and foreign officials, Hadoram reflects the interconnected world of the ancient Near East. Names were often reused or similar across cultures. The violent death of Rehoboam's official Hadoram (Adoram) illustrates the severe cultural response to oppressive forced labor, a common point of contention between ancient kings and their subjects.
Adoram (ʼĂdôrâm, H151) — A variant name for the same official of Rehoboam, used in 1 Kings 12:18.
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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