Lexical Summary Adorayim: Adoraim Original Word: אֲדוֹרַיִם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Adoraim Dual from 'adar (in the sense of eminence); double mound; Adorajim, a place in Palestine -- Adoraim. see HEBREW 'adar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom adar Definition perhaps "two hills," a city in Judah NASB Translation Adoraim (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֲדֹורַ֫יִם proper name, of a location (two hills ?) city in Judah 2Chronicles 11:9 (compare Ἀδωρα, Δωρα, JosAnt. viii. 10. 1, xiv. 5. 3); now Dûra, west of Hebron, RobBR II, 215. Topical Lexicon Location and Geography Adoraim was located in the fertile Shephelah, the low hill country that forms the western rampart of Judah between the Judean highlands and the Philistine plain. The most widely accepted identification is modern Dura, about five miles southwest of Hebron. Its strategic position overlooks routes leading from the coast inland toward Hebron and Bethlehem, making it a natural military outpost. Historical Context After the kingdom divided, Rehoboam took vigorous steps to secure Judah against both northern Israel and foreign threats. 2 Chronicles lists fifteen fortified cities he either built or reinforced; Adoraim stands ninth in the sequence (2 Chronicles 11:5–10). Shishak of Egypt would soon invade (2 Chronicles 12:2), so these fortified centers—with provisions and armaments—served as Judah’s defensive spine. Adoraim thus belongs to the earliest phase of Judah’s independent monarchy. Biblical Significance 2 Chronicles 11:9 records the city by name: “Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah.” Though only mentioned once, its inclusion among the fortresses underscores several themes: Archaeological and Extra-Biblical Correlations Surveys at Dura have uncovered Iron Age walls, gate complexes, and storage installations consistent with Rehoboam’s era. Eusebius’s Onomasticon (fourth century A.D.) speaks of Adora and Adoraia in this district, reflecting the town’s long-standing settlement. In later periods, the site became an administrative center under the Idumeans and, eventually, the Romans, showing its continual strategic value. Theological Implications 1. God honors practical obedience. Rehoboam’s forts display that material preparations, when motivated by fidelity, complement rather than contradict reliance on the Lord (Proverbs 21:31). Lessons for Faith and Ministry • Leadership must anticipate threats and provide for the flock’s security—spiritually, doctrinally, and physically (Acts 20:28-31). Key Reference Forms and Transliterations אֲדוֹרַ֥יִם אדורים ’ă·ḏō·w·ra·yim ’ăḏōwrayim adoRayimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Chronicles 11:9 HEB: וְאֶת־ אֲדוֹרַ֥יִם וְאֶת־ לָכִ֖ישׁ NAS: Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah, KJV: And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah, INT: Adoraim Lachish Azekah 1 Occurrence |
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