עַבְדוֹן

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word ʻAbdôwn, represented by H5658, is derived from a root meaning servitude. It appears 8 times in 8 unique verses in the Bible, where it is used as the name of a place in Palestine and of four different Israelite men.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The name H5658 appears in several distinct contexts. It is the name of a judge of Israel H3478, Abdon the son H1121 of Hillel H1985 the Pirathonite H6553 Judges 12:13. This same Abdon was buried in Pirathon H6552 in the land H776 of Ephraim H669 Judges 12:15. Another individual named Abdon was the son H1121 of Micah H4318, who served in the court of the king H4428 2 Chronicles 34:20. The name also appears in genealogies, including one Abdon who was a firstborn H1060 son H1121 1 Chronicles 8:30 and another mentioned alongside Zichri H2147 and Hanan H2605 1 Chronicles 8:23. Geographically, Abdon was a city with suburbs H4054 allocated to the tribe H4294 of Asher H836 (Joshua 21:30, 1 Chronicles 6:74).

Related Words & Concepts

Several words are contextually linked to the individuals and the place named H5658:

• H8199 shâphaṭ (to judge): This verb describes the primary role of Abdon, the son H1121 of Hillel H1985, who judged Israel H3478 after his predecessor Judges 12:13.
• H1121 bên (a son): This word is consistently used to establish the lineage of the men named Abdon, identifying them as the son of Hillel H1985 Judges 12:13, the son of Micah H4318 2 Chronicles 34:20, or as a firstborn H1060 son in a genealogy 1 Chronicles 8:30.
• H4054 migrâsh (a suburb): This term is used to define the land associated with the city of Abdon, which was given to the tribe H4294 of Asher H836 with her suburbs Joshua 21:30.

Theological Significance

The name H5658 carries significance through the roles of the individuals and the place bearing it.

• Leadership in Israel: The role of Abdon as a judge H8199 of Israel H3478 places him in a position of national leadership and authority, following the pattern of judges raised up to govern the people Judges 12:13.
• Royal Service: As an official who was commanded H6680 by the king H4428, Abdon the son H1121 of Micah H4318 was involved in the high-level affairs of the kingdom, serving alongside figures like Hilkiah H2518 2 Chronicles 34:20.
• Genealogical Position: The repeated mention of Abdon in genealogies, particularly as a firstborn H1060 son H1121, underscores the importance of lineage and inheritance in the biblical record (1 Chronicles 8:30, 1 Chronicles 9:36).
• Tribal Allotment: The designation of Abdon as a city within the tribe H4294 of Asher H836 anchors the name to the fulfillment of God's distribution of the promised land among the Israelites Joshua 21:30.

Summary

In summary, H5658 ʻAbdôwn is a name associated with both people and a place. While its root denotes "servitude," the individuals bearing this name held positions of authority, including a judge H8199 over Israel H3478 and a royal official. As a place, it was a designated city within the inheritance of the tribe H4294 of Asher H836. The name's occurrences illustrate its integration into the legal, political, and genealogical fabric of ancient Israel.