The Hebrew name Radday, represented by H7288, is defined as domineering and identifies a specific Israelite. It is an exceptionally rare word, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible. Its singular use places it within a specific genealogical context.
The sole appearance of H7288 occurs in a list found in 1 Chronicles 2:14. In this passage, Radday is mentioned as the fifth person in a sequence, immediately following Nethaneel, who is identified as the fourth. The verse establishes a clear numerical order among the individuals being named.
Several related words appear alongside Radday in its only biblical context, helping to establish its position and the identities of those around him:
- H5417 Nᵉthanʼêl (given of God): This is the name of the individual listed directly before Radday. Nethaneel is identified as the fourth in this list and appears elsewhere as a priest, a captain, and a chief of the Levites (1 Chronicles 15:24, Numbers 2:5, 2 Chronicles 35:9).
- H7243 rᵉbîyʻîy (fourth): This ordinal number establishes Nethaneel's position in the list. The term is also used elsewhere to denote the "fourth generation" Genesis 15:16 and the "fourth month" Zechariah 8:19.
- H2549 chămîyshîy (fifth): This word gives Radday his specific place in the sequence. It is also used to refer to the "fifth month" Zechariah 7:5 and a "fifth part" to be added for an offering Leviticus 5:16.
While the name H7288 itself carries limited theological weight due to its single appearance, its usage highlights a key biblical principle:
- Ordered Genealogy: The inclusion of Radday in a numbered list emphasizes the importance of precise record-keeping in biblical genealogies. His identity in 1 Chronicles 2:14 is secured by his specific position as the "fifth" H2549.
- Sequential Identity: The name is contextually inseparable from the ordinals "fourth" H7243 and "fifth" H2549. This shows how individual identity within certain biblical texts is established through a structured and sequential order, reflecting a divinely maintained history.
In summary, H7288 Radday is a proper name meaning "domineering" that appears just once in scripture. Its significance is derived entirely from its context in 1 Chronicles 2:14, where it serves to identify the fifth individual in a genealogical list. The name's primary function is to contribute to the meticulous and ordered recording of lineage that is a hallmark of biblical chronicles.
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