נְדַבְיָה

נְדַבְיָה

Nedabjah, an Israelite

Definition

Nedabjah is a proper name given to a single individual in the Old Testament, a son of King Jehoiachin (Jeconiah) of Judah (1 Chronicles 3:18). The name is a compound Hebrew name meaning 'largess of Yah' or 'Yahweh is willing/liberal.' As a personal name, it does not carry multiple senses, but its meaning reflects a theological affirmation about God's character. It identifies a specific, though otherwise unknown, member of the Davidic royal line during the period of the Babylonian exile.

Biblical Usage

The name Nedabjah is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 3:18. It appears in a genealogical list detailing the descendants of King David, specifically the lineage of the exiled king Jehoiachin. Its usage is purely onomastic, serving to record a name within the royal genealogy without providing any narrative context about the person's life or actions.

Etymology

The name Nedabjah (נְדַבְיָה) is a compound of two Hebrew elements. The first part comes from the root נָדַב (nāḏaḇ, H5068), meaning 'to be willing,' 'to volunteer,' or 'to offer freely.' The second part is the shortened form of the divine name, יָהּ (Yāh, H3050). Thus, the name literally translates to 'Yahweh is willing' or 'the liberality of Yahweh,' portraying God as one who gives generously.

Semantic Range

While the individual Nedabjah is not a major biblical figure, his name carries significant theological weight. It is a confession about the nature of God, emphasizing Yahweh's voluntary, gracious, and generous character. In the context of the exile—a time of judgment—this name embedded in the royal lineage serves as a reminder of God's enduring covenantal faithfulness and liberality toward the house of David, offering hope for restoration. In ancient Israelite culture, personal names were often meaningful statements of faith or circumstances. A name like Nedabjah, which incorporates the divine name (Yah), is a theophoric name, explicitly connecting the individual to Yahweh. This was a common practice, especially in royal circles, to affirm divine patronage and the family's theological commitments. The name's meaning ('Yahweh is willing') may have expressed parental hope or gratitude for God's favor during the difficult period of exile. Nethaneel (Nᵉthanʼēl, H5417) — Means 'given of God'; shares the concept of God as a giver, but from the root נָתַן (nāṯan, 'to give'). Jonathan (Yᵊhônāṯān, H3083) — Means 'Yahweh has given'; another theophoric name emphasizing God as the source of gifts.

Word Details