Boy Old Testament Rare
Adlai
my witness; my ornament
עַדְלָ֑י ad.lay
Adlai (Hebrew: עַדְלָ֑י, ad.lay) means “my witness; my ornament”, by traditional interpretation. It appears once, at 1 Chronicles 27:29. In 2025 it was given to 13 children in the United States. Use is falling away. Appears with Shaphat in 1 Chronicles 27.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Adlai
father of Shaphat
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 1 across 1 book
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Divided Kingdom
- Hapax
- Yes occurs exactly once
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 13 | Falling |
| All-time total | 696 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 39 in 1952 | Its highest year on record |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 1 Chronicles 27:29 |
| Cross-references | 9 linked passages |
Origin & meaning
A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.27.29;
father of: Shaphat (H8202K)
§ Adlai = "justice of Jehovah"
ancestor of Shaphat, the overseer of David's herds
Adlai was responsible for overseeing King David's herds that were pastured in the valleys.
The biblical story
Adlai is mentioned briefly in 1Ch.27.29 as one of the officials in charge of King David's agricultural resources. He was responsible for overseeing the herds that were pastured in the valleys.
The context of 1 Chronicles 27 is a description of the organization of David's kingdom, including the officials who were in charge of various aspects of the kingdom's resources and administration. The chapter lists the individuals responsible for the treasury, the military, the agricultural resources, and other important functions.
Adlai's specific role was to manage the herds that grazed in the valleys, ensuring their well-being and productivity. This highlights the importance of agriculture and livestock in the economy of ancient Israel and the need for competent individuals to oversee these resources.
Key verses
Adlai appears in 1 verse. Here are some of the most notable:
-
And over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai:
1 Chronicles 27:29
Show all 1 reference
1 Chronicles (1)
- 1 Chronicles 27:29