from עֵדָה; festival; Adadah, a place in Palestine; Adadah.
Transliteration:ʻĂdʻâdâh
Pronunciation:ad-aw-daw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term עֲדְעָדָה (ʻĂdʻâdâh, `{{H5735}}`) functions primarily as a proper noun, designating a specific geographical location. Its etymological root, however, provides insight into its potential original meaning. It is derived from עֵדָה (ʻēdâh, `{{H5712}}`), which signifies "congregation," "assembly," or "appointed meeting." This suggests that the place named Adadah might have historically been a site for gatherings, perhaps for tribal assemblies, judicial proceedings, or even religious festivals. While the base definition lists "festival" as a potential meaning, this is understood to be the etymological underpinning for the place name, rather than ʻĂdʻâdâh itself being a common noun for "festival." Thus, the semantic range of ʻĂdʻâdâh is restricted to its identification as a particular town within the ancient land of Judah.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name ʻĂdʻâdâh (`{{H5735}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the book of Joshua.
* **[[Joshua 15:22]]**: "And Kinah, and Dimonah, and Adadah,"
In this sole occurrence, Adadah is listed as one of the cities belonging to the tribe of Judah, within the southernmost district of its allotted inheritance. This verse is part of a detailed geographical survey of the tribal boundaries and cities, meticulously recorded to delineate the land promised by God to His people. The inclusion of Adadah within this precise list underscores the thoroughness of the land distribution and the divine ordering of Israel's territory. Geographically, it would have been situated in the Negeb, a semi-arid region south of the Judean hill country, indicating its position on the frontier of Judah's domain.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relation to ʻĂdʻâdâh (`{{H5735}}`) is its root, עֵדָה (ʻēdâh, `{{H5712}}`). This word is frequently used throughout the Pentateuch and historical books to refer to the "congregation" or "assembly" of Israel, particularly in the wilderness period (e.g., [[Exodus 12:3]], [[Numbers 1:2]]). It denotes the collective body of God's people gathered for a specific purpose, often for worship, judgment, or receiving divine instruction.
Another related concept is מוֹעֵד (môʿēd, `{{H4150}}`), which refers to an "appointed time," "appointed place," or "appointed meeting," often used for the "feasts" or "festivals" of the Lord (e.g., [[Leviticus 23:2]], [[Psalm 74:4]]). The etymological connection of Adadah to "assembly" or "festival" suggests that the place may have served as a significant gathering point, perhaps even for local observances or communal activities, lending its name a descriptive quality. This practice of naming places after their function or prominent features is common in ancient Near Eastern toponymy.
### Theological Significance
While Adadah itself is a seemingly minor geographical detail, its inclusion within the meticulous record of Judah's inheritance carries significant theological weight.
1. **Divine Faithfulness and Fulfillment**: The detailed enumeration of towns like Adadah in [[Joshua 15]] serves as tangible proof of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding the land. Every city, no matter how obscure, represents a piece of the divine pledge made manifest.
2. **Order and Sovereignty**: The precise demarcation of tribal territories reflects God's meticulous order and absolute sovereignty over creation and human affairs. He is the one who divides the land, assigning each portion according to His will, demonstrating His providential care for His people.
3. **Theological Geography**: The very act of naming places and listing them in sacred texts imbues them with a theological dimension. Even a place like Adadah, which appears only once, contributes to the grand narrative of God's redemptive history, underscoring that every part of the promised land, down to its smallest settlements, is under divine purview.
4. **Foundation for Future Narrative**: These detailed lists provide the geographical and historical framework upon which the subsequent narratives of Israel's life in the land—its triumphs, struggles, and interactions with God—are built.
### Summary
ʻĂdʻâdâh (`{{H5735}}`) is a proper noun, a place name derived from the Hebrew word for "assembly" or "congregation." It appears singularly in [[Joshua 15:22]], listed among the cities allotted to the tribe of Judah in its southernmost territory. While its etymological root hints at a potential historical function as a place of gathering or festival, its biblical role is primarily geographical, serving to delineate the precise boundaries of Judah's inheritance. The theological significance of Adadah, though not directly tied to a specific event or teaching, lies within its contribution to the broader theme of God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His land promises to Israel. Its inclusion in the detailed tribal allocations underscores the divine order, sovereignty, and meticulous care evident in the biblical record of God's dealings with His chosen people.
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