### 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.
TRV