Bible Dictionary
Abdi
Abdi was the name of three Old Testament men: a Levite connected with the singer Ethan, another Levite serving during Hezekiah’s reign, and a descendant of Elam who had married a foreign wife in Ezra’s time.
Definition
Abdi is the name of three Old Testament men. One was a Levite, father of Kishi and grandfather of the singer Ethan. A second was a Levite whose son Kish served at the beginning of Hezekiah’s reign. The third was a descendant of Elam who had married a foreign wife in Ezra’s time.
Biblical Usage
Abdi appears in 1 Chronicles 6:44, 2 Chronicles 29:12, and Ezra 10:26. The two Levites should not be confused, while the Abdi mentioned in Ezra was one of the sons of Elam and was not a Levite.
Historical Background
The name probably represents an abbreviation of “servant of Yahweh.” The first Abdi was associated with the period of Saul, the second with the beginning of Hezekiah’s reign, and the third with the community addressed in Ezra’s time.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
My servant. (1.) 1 Chr. 6:44. (2.) 2 Chr. 29:12. (3.) Ezra 10:26.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(my servant).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ab'-di (`abhdi, probably by abbreviation "servant of Yahweh"):</p><p>(1) A Levite, father of Kishi and grandfather of King David's singer Ethan (1Ch 6:44; compare 1Ch 15:17). This makes Abdi a contemporary of Saul the king.</p><p>(2) A Levite, father of the Kish who was in service at the beginning of the reign of Hezekiah (2Ch 29:12). Some mistakenly identify this Abdi with the former.</p><p>(3) A man who in Ezra's time had married a foreign wife (Ezr 10:26). Not a Levite, but "of the sons of Elam."</p>