רַדַּי
Raddai, an Israelite
Definition
Raddai is a proper name given to one of the sons of Jesse, making him a brother of King David. The name appears only in the genealogical list of 1 Chronicles 2:14, where he is listed as the fifth of Jesse's seven sons. As a personal name, it does not have multiple senses or meanings in different biblical passages. Its significance lies solely in its identification of this specific individual within the Davidic family lineage.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exactly once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 2:14. It functions strictly as a proper noun identifying a person within a genealogical record. The context is the listing of the sons of Jesse: 'Nethanel the fourth, Raddai the fifth.' There are no other usages or patterns, as it is a unique personal name.
Etymology
The name Raddai (רַדַּי) is derived from the Hebrew root רָדָה (radah, H7287), which means 'to rule,' 'to have dominion,' or 'to tread down.' The form 'Raddai' is an intensive or adjective form, suggesting a meaning like 'domineering,' 'ruler,' or 'one who subdues.' It is a theophoric or descriptive name, common in Hebrew culture, reflecting a characteristic or hope for the child.
Semantic Range
While the individual Raddai is not a major biblical figure, his inclusion in the genealogy of David (1 Chronicles 2:14) is theologically significant. He is part of the lineage that leads to King David and, according to the New Testament, to Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5-6). Understanding that his name means 'domineering' or 'ruler' subtly reinforces the theme of kingship and divinely ordained leadership that runs through the Davidic line, even among its lesser-known members.
In ancient Israelite culture, personal names often carried descriptive or aspirational meanings. Naming a son 'Raddai' ('domineering' or 'ruler') likely reflected parental hopes for his strength, leadership, or success. As a brother of David, he was part of a family from Bethlehem in Judah, a clan from which kings would arise. His single mention in a genealogy highlights the Israelite and later Jewish cultural importance of preserving detailed family lineages to establish tribal identity, inheritance rights, and royal descent.
As a unique proper noun, there are no direct synonyms. It is related to other names derived from the root רָדָה (H7287), such as רְדָיָה (Redayah, H7463) — another personal name meaning 'Yahweh has ruled.'
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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