Hadad
Hadad, also known as Hadar, was the last king of Edom before the Israelites established their monarchy.
Biography
Hadad, also called Hadar in some manuscripts, is listed among the ancient kings of Edom who reigned before Israel had a monarchy (Genesis 36:39; 1 Chronicles 1:50–51). His reign predates Saul's anointing, placing him in the era of the patriarchs or the period of the judges. The biblical record notes that his city was Pau and that his wife's name was Mehetabel, daughter of Matred. Edom as a nation descended from Esau, Jacob's twin brother, and these early kings governed a complex tribal confederacy. Hadad's position as the final pre-monarchic king of Edom marks a transitional moment in the region's political history, occurring at the very time Israel was preparing to ask for a king of its own.
Significance
Hadad's reign as the last of Edom's pre-monarchic kings illuminates the parallel political development of Esau's descendants alongside Israel. The list of Edomite kings in Genesis 36 exists in part to contrast the fulfillment of God's promise that kings would come from Abraham (Genesis 17:6), yet it also shows that surrounding nations developed powerful political structures first. Theologically, Edom serves throughout Scripture as a foil for Israel, embodying the path of those who live outside covenant blessing. Hadad's place at the end of this royal list quietly anticipates Israel's own request for a king, inviting reflection on the nature of human governance versus divine rule.
Verse Appearances (3)
Genesis
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]