Bible Dictionary
Adaiah
Adaiah was a name borne by several Israelites, including members of Benjamin, Levi, Judah, and the priestly families. Other men named Adaiah served in royal and postexilic communities.
Definition
Adaiah, meaning “Yahweh hath adorned,” was a name borne by several Israelites. The persons so named included a Benjamite, a Levite ancestor of Asaph, the father of Maaseiah, the father of Jedidah, a descendant of Judah, men among the sons of Bani, and a priest.
Biblical Usage
Adaiah is associated with Benjamin, Levi, Judah, priestly families, and postexilic Israelites in the genealogical and community lists of Chronicles, Kings, Ezra, and Nehemiah.
Historical Background
The name occurs in records from the monarchy and from the period after the Exile, including the community in Jerusalem and those who dealt with foreign marriages in Ezra’s time.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(adorned by Jehovah).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>a-da'-ya, a-di'-a (`adhayah, "Yahweh hath adorned"):</p><p>(1) Apparently the seventh of the nine sons of Shimei, who is apparently the same with Shema, who is the fifth of the sons of Elpaal, who is the second of the two sons of Shaharaim and Hushim (1Ch 8:21). Shaharaim and his descendants are listed with the descendants of Benjamin, though his relations to Benjamin are not stated.</p><p>(2) A Levite; ancestor to David's singer Asaph, and a descendant of the fifth generation from Gershom (1Ch 6:41).</p><p>(3) The father of Maaseiah, who was one of the captains of hundreds associated with Jehoiada the priest in making Joash king (2Ch 23:1).</p><p>(4) A resident of Bozkath, and father of Jedidah the mother of King Josiah (2Ki 22:1).</p><p>(5) A descendant of Judah through Perez. His great-great-grandson Maaseiah resided in Jerusalem after Nehemiah had rehabilitated the city (Ne 11:5).</p><p>(6) One of the men of Israel, not a priest or Levite, but "of the sons of Bani," who promised Ezra that he would part with his foreign wife (Ezr 10:29).</p><p>(7) The same man or another, in a different group of the sons of Bani (Ezr 10:39).</p><p>(8) One of the priests of the latest Bible times, mentioned with a partial genealogy (Ne 11:12; 1Ch 9:12).</p><p>Willis J. Beecher</p>