לַעְדָּן
Ladan, the name of two Israelites
Definition
Laʻdān is a proper name given to two distinct individuals in the Old Testament. The first is Laʻdān the Ephraimite, an ancestor of Joshua, mentioned in 1 Chronicles 7:26. The second is Laʻdān the Gershonite, a Levite and head of a father's house during the time of David, as detailed in 1 Chronicles 23:7-9 and 26:21. In both cases, the name functions solely as a personal identifier for these Israelite men within genealogical and administrative lists.
Biblical Usage
The name Laʻdān appears exclusively in the genealogical and organizational records of 1 Chronicles. It is used to identify lineage within the tribe of Ephraim (1 Chronicles 7:26) and to designate a Levitical family head within the clan of Gershon, who was responsible for temple treasuries (1 Chronicles 23:7-9; 26:21). All five occurrences are in formal lists, with no narrative usage.
Etymology
The name Laʻdān (לַעְדָּן) is derived from the same root as the noun laʻdāh (לַעְדָּה, H3935), which means 'to eternity' or 'for ever.' It is a theophoric name, likely a shortened form meaning 'He (God) is everlasting' or 'Permanent is He,' expressing a theological attribute of Yahweh. It shares a conceptual root with the more common word 'olam (עוֹלָם, H5769) meaning 'eternity.'
Semantic Range
While the name itself is not theologically loaded in its narrative context, its etymological meaning points to the eternal nature of God, a core attribute in Israelite belief. Its use in the Chronicler's meticulous records underscores the importance of lineage and divinely appointed order within the worship community, connecting individual service to God's everlasting covenant and the permanent establishment of temple worship.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were often meaningful declarations about God or circumstances. Bearing a name like Laʻdān, which implies permanence and eternity, would have been a daily reminder of God's enduring character. Its appearance solely in administrative lists in Chronicles reflects the post-exilic community's emphasis on establishing legitimate priestly and tribal lineages to restore proper worship.
No direct synonyms as a proper name. Etymologically related: עוֹלָם (ʿolam, H5769) — The common noun for 'eternity' or 'forever,' expressing the same concept of permanence.
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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