from עֵדֶר and אֵל; flock of God; Adriel, an Israelite; Adriel.
Transliteration:ʻAdrîyʼêl
Pronunciation:ad-ree-ale'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew proper noun `{{H5741}}` (ʻAdrîyʼêl) is a composite name, derived from two distinct elements: `{{H5739}}` (ʻēder), meaning "flock" or "herd," and `{{H0410}}` (ʼēl), a common abbreviation for "God" or "Mighty One." Therefore, the primary and most widely accepted meaning of `{{H5741}}` is "Flock of God" or "My Flock is God." As a personal name, its semantic range is fixed to identifying a specific individual in the biblical narrative, carrying the theological implications inherent in its etymology.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name `{{H5741}}` (ʻAdrîyʼêl) appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both instances found within the historical narratives of the book of Samuel.
1. **[[1 Samuel 18:19]]:** Here, Adriel is introduced as "Adriel the Meholathite," to whom King Saul gives his elder daughter Merab in marriage. This event is significant because Saul had previously promised Merab to David as a reward for his valor against the Philistines. Saul's decision to give Merab to Adriel instead highlights his growing suspicion and animosity towards David, revealing a strategic move to prevent David from gaining further royal connections. Adriel's role in this passage is passive, serving as the recipient of Saul's daughter in a politically motivated arrangement.
2. **[[2 Samuel 21:8]]:** This passage describes a severe famine in Israel, which David seeks to understand. The Lord reveals it is due to Saul's actions against the Gibeonites, violating an ancient covenant ([[Joshua 9]]). To atone for this sin, David delivers seven descendants of Saul to the Gibeonites for execution. Among these are "the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she bore to Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite."
**Reconciliation of the Texts:** The reference to Michal in [[2 Samuel 21:8]] has long been a point of scholarly discussion, as [[2 Samuel 6:23]] states that Michal had no children, and she was David's wife, not Adriel's. The prevailing scholarly consensus is that "Michal" in [[2 Samuel 21:8]] is a scribal error for "Merab" (Saul's elder daughter), who was indeed married to Adriel ([[1 Samuel 18:19]]). This interpretation resolves the apparent contradiction, confirming that the five sons executed were the offspring of Merab and Adriel. Adriel's historical significance, therefore, lies in his connection to King Saul's dynasty through marriage and, tragically, as the father of five sons whose lives were sacrificed to atone for Saul's violation of the Gibeonite covenant.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{H5739}}` (ʻēder):** The root word for "flock" connects Adriel's name to the pervasive biblical imagery of God as the Shepherd and His people as His flock. This metaphor signifies divine protection, provision, and guidance ([[Psalm 23:1]], [[Isaiah 40:11]], [[John 10:11]]).
* **`{{H0410}}` (ʼēl):** The divine component of the name signifies God's power, authority, and covenant faithfulness. Its inclusion in a personal name often reflects a parent's devotion or a hope for divine favor.
* **Meholathite:** This gentil name (`{{H4248}}` Meḥōlāthî) identifies Adriel's geographic origin, likely from Abel-Meholah, a town associated with the prophet Elisha ([[1 Kings 19:16]]). This detail roots Adriel in a specific regional context within ancient Israel.
* **Saul's Dynasty and Covenant Theology:** Adriel's marriage into Saul's family and the tragic fate of his sons are inextricably linked to the broader themes of kingship, covenant-breaking, and divine justice. The Gibeonite covenant ([[Joshua 9]]) and its violation by Saul illustrate the enduring consequences of oaths sworn before God.
* **Corporate Solidarity:** The sacrifice of Adriel's sons for Saul's sin highlights the ancient Near Eastern concept of corporate solidarity, where the actions of an individual, particularly a king, could have profound repercussions for their family or even the entire nation.
### Theological Significance
The name `{{H5741}}` (ʻAdrîyʼêl), "Flock of God," carries a profound theological irony when considered in light of the fate of his children. While the name itself speaks to divine care and belonging, the narrative surrounding Adriel underscores the severe consequences of sin and broken covenants, even extending to the innocent.
Adriel's story, though brief, serves as a stark illustration of several theological principles:
1. **The Gravity of Covenant-Breaking:** Saul's violation of the Gibeonite covenant, made centuries earlier, demonstrates that divine justice operates across generations. God's faithfulness to His own word, and to the oaths sworn in His name, is absolute.
2. **Corporate Responsibility and Atonement:** The execution of Adriel's sons, along with other descendants of Saul, is presented as an act of atonement necessary to lift the famine and restore order. This reflects an ancient understanding of corporate guilt and the need for a cleansing sacrifice to appease divine wrath and restore harmony between God and His people. While challenging to modern sensibilities, it highlights the seriousness with which God viewed covenant integrity.
3. **Divine Sovereignty and Justice:** The famine and its resolution demonstrate God's active involvement in the affairs of His people, upholding justice and ensuring that transgressions against His covenants are addressed. David's inquiry and subsequent action are an attempt to align the nation with God's will and restore divine favor.
4. **The Cost of Leadership:** Adriel's connection to Saul's family through marriage places him within the tragic trajectory of Saul's reign. The suffering inflicted upon his family underscores the immense responsibility of leadership and how the sins of a king can bring judgment upon his descendants and the nation.
### Summary
`{{H5741}}` (ʻAdrîyʼêl) is a Hebrew proper noun meaning "Flock of God," derived from `{{H5739}}` (ʻēder, "flock") and `{{H0410}}` (ʼēl, "God"). He appears in the biblical narrative as Adriel the Meholathite, known primarily through his marriage to Merab, King Saul's elder daughter ([[1 Samuel 18:19]]). His most significant, and tragic, mention is in [[2 Samuel 21:8]], where five of his sons (likely born to Merab) are handed over to the Gibeonites and executed. This act was an atonement for King Saul's violation of a covenant with the Gibeonites, which had brought a famine upon the land. Adriel's story, therefore, serves as a poignant illustration of the far-reaching and severe consequences of covenant-breaking and sin, demonstrating how the actions of a leader could result in generational suffering and the imperative for divine justice to be satisfied. His name, "Flock of God," stands in stark contrast to the grim fate of his children, highlighting the complex interplay of divine sovereignty, human sin, and historical repercussions within the biblical narrative.
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