Bible Dictionary
Adonikam
Adonikam was the ancestor of a family of exiles who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel. His descendants numbered 666 in Ezra’s list and 667 in Nehemiah’s.
Definition
Adonikam was the ancestor or family name of a group of returning exiles. The sons of Adonikam returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel and later groups came with Ezra.
Biblical Usage
Ezra lists 666 descendants of Adonikam, while Nehemiah lists 667. Members of the family are included among those returning to Jerusalem and Judah.
Historical Background
The difference between the totals in Ezra and Nehemiah reflects variation between the two lists. A further contingent of sixty males came with Ezra.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Whom the Lord sets up, one of those “which came with Zerubbabel” (Ezra 2:13). His “children,” or retainers, to the number of 666, came up to Jerusalem (8:13).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ad-o-ni'-kam ('adhoniqam, "my lord has risen up"): The name of a family of the returning exiles (Ezr 2:13; Ne 7:18). "The sons of Adonikam," men and women and children, numbered 666 according to the list as given in Ezr, but 667 according to the copy in Neh. Either included among these or in addition to them was the contingent that came with Ezr, "Ehphalet, Jeuel, and Shemaiah, and with them 60 males" (Ezr 8:13).</p>