Boy Old Testament Rare
Adaiah
the witness of the Lord
עֲדָיָ֫הוּ a.da.yah
Adaiah (Hebrew: עֲדָיָ֫הוּ, a.da.yah) means “the witness of the Lord”, by traditional interpretation. Ten men in scripture bear the name; the best attested is a priest. In 2025 it was given to 35 children in the United States. Use is rising. Appears with Adiel in 1 Chronicles 9.
Which Adaiah?
Ten men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
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Adaiah
mother of King Josiah; father of Jedidah
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Adaiah
father of Maaseiah
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Adaiah
descendant of Malchijah
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Adaiah
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Adaiah
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Adaiah
Show all 10 bearers
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Adaiah
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Adaiah
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Adaiah
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Adaiah
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 9 across 5 books
- Bearers
- 10 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Divided Kingdom
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 35 | Rising |
| All-time total | 580 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 43 in 2019 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | CA | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 2 Kings 22:1 |
| Last appears | Nehemiah 11:12 |
| Cross-references | 55 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Malchijah co-occurrence Appears with Malchijah in 1 Chronicles 9.
- Jeroham co-occurrence Appears with Jeroham in 2 Chronicles 23.
- Ishmael co-occurrence Appears with Ishmael in 2 Chronicles 23.
- Elishaphat co-occurrence Appears with Elishaphat in 2 Chronicles 23.
- Azariah co-occurrence Appears with Azariah in 2 Chronicles 23.
- Jedidah co-occurrence Appears with Jedidah in 2 Kings 22.
- Jehohanan co-occurrence Appears with Jehohanan in 2 Chronicles 23.
- Sheal co-occurrence Appears with Sheal in Ezra 10.
Origin & meaning
A man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.8.21;
son of: Shimei (H8096N);
brother of: Jakim (H3356), Zichri (H2147H), Zabdi (H2067H), Elienai (H0462), Zillethai (H6769), Eliel (H0447H), Beraiah (H1256) and Shimrath (H8119)
§ Adaiah = "Jehovah has adorned Himself"
1) maternal grandfather of king Josiah of Judah and native of Boscath in the lowlands of Judah
2) a Gershonite Levite and ancestor of Asaph
3) a Benjamite, son of Shimhi
4) a priest, son of Jehoram
5) ancestor of Maaseiah, one of the captains who supported Jehoiada
6) a descendant of Bani who had a foreign wife in the time of Ezra
7) a descendant of another Bani who had a foreign wife in the time of Ezra
8) a descendant of Pharez of the tribe of Judah
Adaiah, a descendant of Benjamin, is mentioned in the genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin.
The biblical story
Adaiah is briefly mentioned in the genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin (1Ch.8.21). He is listed as one of the sons of Shimei, who was a descendant of Benjamin through his son Bela.
The genealogy in 1 Chronicles 8 traces the lineage of Benjamin, providing a detailed account of his descendants. The mention of Adaiah within this context serves to highlight the family lines within the tribe of Benjamin.
No further information is given about Adaiah's life, his role within the family, or any significant events associated with him. His inclusion in the genealogy primarily serves to provide a comprehensive record of Benjamin's descendants and to establish the lineage of the tribe.
Key verses
Adaiah appears in 1 verse. Here are some of the most notable:
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And Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath, the sons of Shimhi;
1 Chronicles 8:21
Show all 1 reference
1 Chronicles (1)
- 1 Chronicles 8:21