114. Addon

Lexical Summary

Addon: Addon

Original Word: אַדּוֹן
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: Addown
Pronunciation: ad-dohn'
Phonetic Spelling: (ad-done')
KJV: Addon
NASB: Addon
Word Origin: [probably intensive for H113 (אָדוֹן אָדוֹן - lord)]

1. powerful
2. Addon, apparently an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Addon

Probably intensive for 'adown; powerful; Addon, apparently an Israelite -- Addon.

see HEBREW 'adown

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
probably intens. for adon
Definition
"powerful," appar. a place in Bab.
NASB Translation
Addon (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

אַדּוֺן id. Nehemiah 7:61.

Topical Lexicon

Biblical occurrence

Nehemiah 7:61 lists the “descendants of … Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon, and Immer,” noting that they “could not prove that their families were descended from Israel”. The parallel census in Ezra 2:59 records the same group with the variant name Addan, underscoring textual nuances while pointing to the same community of returnees.

Historical setting

Addon appears in the great post-exilic enrollment compiled by Nehemiah. The register was essential for reorganizing Judah after the Babylonian captivity (circa 445 BC). By naming those whose lineage could not be substantiated, the narrative shows the careful measures taken to safeguard the purity of the restored community, especially regarding temple service (compare Nehemiah 7:63-65).

Genealogical significance

1 Chronicles 9 and Ezra–Nehemiah present genealogy as more than family pride; it safeguards covenantal identity. Membership in Israel carried privileges (temple worship, inheritance) and responsibilities (obedience to the Law). Addon’s uncertain pedigree highlights:
• the centrality of documented heritage for participation in priestly and Levitical duties,
• the priority given to holiness for a people freshly awakened to covenant obedience, and
• the willingness to withhold full rights until legitimacy was established “by the Urim and Thummim” (Nehemiah 7:65).

Textual variant and reliability of Scripture

The spelling difference—Addon (Nehemiah) versus Addan (Ezra)—illustrates routine orthographic variations. Both texts agree on the historical fact: a group returned yet lacked credentials. Far from undermining reliability, the minor variation affirms the independent yet harmonious witness of Ezra and Nehemiah.

Theological themes

1. Covenant purity. God’s people are called to holiness (Leviticus 20:26). The careful vetting of Addon’s descendants reflects a reverence for divine standards.
2. Inclusiveness balanced with discernment. The returnees did not expel the unverified; they were listed, pending authentication. Scripture thus models pastoral care that welcomes seekers while guarding doctrinal integrity.
3. God’s remembrance of the overlooked. Even those of uncertain lineage are named. This foreshadows the Gospel’s invitation to those once “far off” (Ephesians 2:13).

Ministerial application

• Record-keeping and accountability remain vital for church governance (1 Timothy 3:1-13).
• Spiritual lineage supplants physical descent. While Addon’s family awaited confirmation, believers now find their identity in Christ, “a chosen race” (1 Peter 2:9).
• Discernment without partiality. Leaders must evaluate qualifications for ministry fairly, imitating Nehemiah’s balance of grace and order.

Key insights for study and teaching

• Addon exemplifies God’s concern for every individual in redemptive history.
• The episode urges today’s believers to examine their spiritual credentials—faith in Christ—rather than rely on heritage or tradition.
• The passage affirms the meticulous preservation of Scripture, encouraging trust in its details for doctrine, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).

Forms and Transliterations

אַדּ֖וֹן אדון ’ad·dō·wn ’addōwn adDon

Englishman's Concordance

Nehemiah 7:61
HEB: חַרְשָׁ֔א כְּר֥וּב אַדּ֖וֹן וְאִמֵּ֑ר וְלֹ֣א
NAS: Cherub, Addon and Immer;
KJV: Cherub, Addon, and Immer:
INT: Tel-harsha Cherub Addon and Immer not

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 114
1 Occurrence

’ad·dō·wn — 1 Occ.