The Hebrew word Châdîyd, represented by H2307, refers to a place in Palestine named Hadid. Derived from a word meaning a peak, it appears 3 times across 3 unique verses. Its usage is exclusively as a proper noun for a specific town.
In the biblical narrative, H2307 is mentioned in records of Israelites returning from the Babylonian exile. It appears in two census lists alongside the towns of Lod and Ono, identifying a group of returning families. In the book of Ezra, the number of "children" from these towns is recorded as seven hundred twenty and five Ezra 2:33. A parallel account in Nehemiah lists the number as seven hundred twenty and one Nehemiah 7:37. Later, Hadid is listed among the towns reinhabited by the tribe of Benjamin Nehemiah 11:34.
Several other place names are directly associated with Hadid in scripture:
- H3850 Lod: Defined as "Lod, a place in Palestine," this town is consistently listed with Hadid in the census accounts of the returning exiles (Ezra 2:33, Nehemiah 7:37).
- H207 ʼÔwnôw: This is "Ono, a place in Palestine." Like Lod, it is always mentioned in the same breath as Hadid in the post-exilic census lists (Ezra 2:33, Nehemiah 7:37).
- H6650 Tsᵉbôʻîym: Meaning "hyenas," this is the name of "Tseboim, a place in Palestine." It is listed alongside Hadid in the record of towns resettled by the Benjamites Nehemiah 11:34.
- H5041 Nᵉballâṭ: Meaning "foolish secrecy," this is "Neballat, a place in Palestine." It also appears with Hadid in the resettlement list found in Nehemiah Nehemiah 11:34.
While a simple place name, the theological significance of H2307 lies in its context within the story of Israel's restoration.
- Covenant Faithfulness: The mention of people returning to Hadid is a detail that contributes to the larger theme of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promise to bring His people back to their land after a period of judgment and exile.
- Community Restoration: By including Hadid in the census, the biblical authors emphasize the re-establishment of the Israelite community, not just in a general sense, but down to the level of specific towns and families Ezra 2:33.
- Geographic Identity: The listing of Hadid is part of the crucial record-keeping that re-established tribal and familial claims to the land, a foundational element of Israel's national and religious life after the return Nehemiah 11:34.
In summary, H2307 is more than a dot on a map. As Hadid, it represents a specific location whose inhabitants were part of the monumental return from exile. Its few appearances in scripture are significant, marking it as a component in the historical and theological narrative of God's restoration of His people, the re-establishment of their community, and the resettlement of their promised land.
TRV