עָדָה

ʻâdâh /aw-daw'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto advance, i.e. pass on or continue; causatively, to remove; specifically, to bedeck (i.e. bring an ornament upon)
KJV usageadorn, deck (self), pass by, take away.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word ʻâdâh, represented by H5710, is a primitive root with a dual focus. It primarily means to bedeck or adorn, but also carries the meanings of to pass by or to take away. It appears 10 times across 10 unique verses, illustrating its specific yet significant role in the biblical text.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical usage, H5710 most often describes the act of adorning oneself with ornaments, jewels, or fine clothing. This can be positive, as when a bride adorneth herself for her wedding Isaiah 61:10 or when God describes His blessing upon Jerusalem, stating, "I decked thee also with ornaments" Ezekiel 16:11. However, it can also signify misplaced priorities or vanity, as when a desolate nation futilely deckest herself with crimson and gold Jeremiah 4:30 or when Israel decked herself to pursue idols Hosea 2:13. The word also appears in its other senses, such as when describing how a fierce lion has not passed by the path to wisdom Job 28:8, or as the act that taketh away a garment in cold weather Proverbs 25:20.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the concept of adorning and its context:

  • H5716 ʻădîy (ornament): Derived from H5710, this noun refers to the finery or ornaments themselves. It is used alongside its root verb in passages like Ezekiel 16:11, where God decked Jerusalem with ornaments.
  • H3847 lâbash (to put on a garment or clothe): This word for clothing often appears in parallel with adorning, showing the connection between being clothed and being decorated, as seen in Jeremiah 4:30 where the nation first clothest herself before she decks herself with ornaments.
  • H1129 bânâh (to build): In the context of restoration, building and adorning are linked. God promises Israel, "Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built... thou shalt again be adorned" Jeremiah 31:4, connecting physical restoration with the restoration of joy and beauty.
  • H3627 kᵉlîy (something prepared, i.e. any apparatus): This general term for an implement or jewel is used to specify what one adorns themselves with. In Isaiah 61:10, the bride adorneth herself with her jewels H3627.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H5710 is demonstrated through its contrasting applications.

  • Symbol of Divine Blessing: God's act of adorning His people signifies covenant relationship and favor. In Ezekiel 16:11-13, the Lord decks Jerusalem with gold, silver, and bracelets, causing her to become exceedingly beautiful and prosper into a kingdom. This represents the blessings He bestows.
  • Metaphor for Spiritual State: The act of adorning reflects one's spiritual allegiance. In Isaiah 61:10, the soul is adorned with salvation and righteousness. Conversely, in Hosea 2:13, adorning oneself with earrings and jewels is part of forgetting God and pursuing idolatry.
  • Adornment with Divine Attributes: The concept is elevated beyond physical objects in Job 40:10, where God challenges Job to "Deck thyself now with majesty H1347 and excellency H1363". This uses the language of adornment to speak of being clothed in God's own glorious attributes.

Summary

In summary, H5710 is a versatile word that primarily explores the concept of adornment. While it can literally mean to put on ornaments, its deeper significance lies in what that decoration represents. It can symbolize the beauty and honor bestowed by God as part of His covenant blessing and restoration, or it can expose the vanity and spiritual unfaithfulness of those who seek glory apart from Him. The word serves as a powerful metaphor for the outward expression of an inward spiritual condition.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 10 occurrences, inflected in 9 grammatical forms.

  • Qal Imperfect 2nd Singular Feminine 2×
  • Hiphil Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Imperfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Imperfect 2nd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Perfect 2nd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Qal Imperative 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Qal Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
Singular
One.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 10 verses across 6 books. Most frequent in Ezekiel (3 verses).

2
Job
1
Proverbs
1
Isaiah
2
Jeremiah
3
Ezekiel
1
Hosea

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