### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew name **ʻAdrîyʼêl**, represented by `{{H5741}}`, translates to **flock of God**. It appears **2 times** in **2 unique verses** in the Bible. This name is used to identify a specific Israelite, Adriel, whose life intersects with the family of King Saul.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, Adriel `{{H5741}}` is introduced as the man who married Merab, the daughter of King Saul. This marriage took place at the time Merab was supposed to have been given to David [[1 Samuel 18:19]]. A later passage mentions five sons whom Michal, another of Saul's daughters, "brought up for Adriel" [[2 Samuel 21:8]]. In both of his appearances, Adriel is identified as "the Meholathite."
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words are central to Adriel's narrative context:
* `{{H1323}}` **bath** (a daughter): Adriel's primary connection to the biblical narrative is through his marriage to Merab, the **daughter** of Saul [[1 Samuel 18:19]].
* `{{H5414}}` **nâthan** (to give): This verb is used to describe how Merab was **given** to Adriel to be his wife, despite a prior arrangement with David [[1 Samuel 18:19]].
* `{{H802}}` **ʼishshâh** (a woman, wife): The term specifies the nature of the union, stating that Merab was given to Adriel "to **wife**" [[1 Samuel 18:19]].
* `{{H1121}}` **ben** (a son): This word is crucial in the second reference to Adriel, which lists the five **sons** connected to his family line [[2 Samuel 21:8]].
### Theological Significance
The story of Adriel, while brief, carries contextual significance:
* **Royal Promises and Politics:** Adriel’s marriage to Merab places him within the complex political and familial affairs of King Saul's court, specifically in the context of a promise made to David that was not kept [[1 Samuel 18:19]].
* **Generational Consequences:** The mention of Adriel's five sons in [[2 Samuel 21:8]] is part of a larger narrative concerning atonement for the actions of their grandfather, King Saul. This links Adriel's family to the theme of accountability that spans generations.
* **Individual in a Larger Narrative:** While his name means **flock of God**, Adriel's story illustrates how the lives of individuals are woven into the larger tapestry of God's sovereign plan for Israel's leadership, even through complicated family and political situations.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H5741}}` is the proper name Adriel, meaning **flock of God**. He is a figure defined by his marriage into the royal family of Saul and the subsequent inclusion of his sons in a moment of national consequence. Though his appearances are few, Adriel's story provides a window into the personal entanglements and dynastic shifts that characterized the transition of power in ancient Israel.
TRV