139. Adoni-tsedeq

Lexical Summary

Adoni-tsedeq: Adoni-zedek

Original Word: אֲדֹנִי־צֶדֶק
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Adoniy-Tsedeq
Pronunciation: ah-doh-nee tseh-dek
Phonetic Spelling: (ad-o''-nee-tseh'-dek)
KJV: Adonizedec
NASB: Adoni-zedek
Word Origin: [from H113 (אָדוֹן אָדוֹן - lord) and H6664 (צֶּדֶק - righteousness)]

1. lord of justice
2. Adoni-Tsedek, a Canaanitish king

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Adonizedec

From 'adown and tsedeq; lord of justice; Adoni-Tsedek, a Canaanitish king -- Adonizedec.

see HEBREW 'adown

see HEBREW tsedeq

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from adon and tsedeq
Definition
"Lord of righteousness," king of Jer.
NASB Translation
Adoni-zedek (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

אֲדֹנִיצֶֿ֫דֶק proper name, masculine Canaanite king of Jerusalem Joshua 10:1,3(Lord of righteousness; my lord is righteous, or my Lord is ‚idiq — divine name — compare מַלְכִּי צֶדֶק, אֲדֹנִיָּהוּ, Phoenician אדנבעל etc.)

Topical Lexicon

Biblical References

Adoni-zedek appears twice, both in the account of Joshua’s southern campaign: Joshua 10:1 and Joshua 10:3. He is introduced as “Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem” (Joshua 10:1).

Historical Setting

1. Timeframe: Late fifteenth or early fourteenth century B.C. (depending on the chronology adopted), during Israel’s initial entrance into Canaan under Joshua.
2. Political Landscape: Canaanite city-states were ruled by independent kings who formed coalitions to resist foreign threats. Jerusalem, though later the center of Israel’s worship, was at this stage a Jebusite stronghold.
3. Immediate Context: The stunning fall of Jericho (Joshua 6) and Ai (Joshua 8), followed by the Gibeonite treaty (Joshua 9), alarmed the southern kings. Adoni-zedek leads a five-king alliance against Gibeon in hopes of halting Israel’s advance.

Role in the Conquest Narrative

1. Instigator of Coalition Warfare – He calls together the kings of Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon (Joshua 10:3-4).
2. Catalyst for Divine Intervention – His offensive against Gibeon brings Joshua’s forces into a miraculous day-long battle: “The LORD hurled down large hailstones from the sky… and the sun stood still” (Joshua 10:11-13).
3. Object Lesson in Covenant Faithfulness – Israel defends Gibeon because of a sworn oath (Joshua 9:15), showcasing the unbreakable nature of covenant, contrasting Adoni-zedek’s treacherous aggression.

Spiritual and Theological Significance

• False Claim to Righteousness: The name can be rendered “lord of righteousness,” yet his deeds are unrighteous, illustrating how titles without obedience are meaningless (cf. Matthew 7:21).
• Contrast with Melchizedek: Another ancient king of Jerusalem bore a similar compound name, Melchizedek (“king of righteousness,” Genesis 14:18). Melchizedek blesses Abraham and points forward to the Messiah (Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 7). Adoni-zedek, by contrast, curses by warring against God’s people. This juxtaposition highlights two possible responses to God’s purposes—submission leading to blessing or rebellion leading to judgment.
• Divine War Ethics: The rout of Adoni-zedek demonstrates that Israel’s victories rest on the LORD’s power, not military superiority (Joshua 10:42). The episode reinforces the covenant promise of Exodus 23:27.

Lessons for Ministry

1. Faithfulness to Covenant Obligations – Joshua’s defense of Gibeon warns believers to honor commitments even when inconvenient.
2. God's Sovereignty Over Opposition – Leaders who oppose God’s redemptive plan ultimately serve His purposes (Acts 4:27-28).
3. Authentic Righteousness – Titles or positions do not guarantee godliness; true righteousness comes through faith and obedience (Romans 3:22).

Related Passages and Themes

• Divine warfare and miraculous intervention: Exodus 14:24-25; Judges 4:15.
• Kingship and righteousness: Psalm 72:1-2; Jeremiah 23:5-6.
• Covenant loyalty: Deuteronomy 7:9; 1 Samuel 20:8.

Later Jewish and Christian Reflection

Rabbinic sources view Adoni-zedek as an archetype of Gentile resistance to Israel. Early Christian commentators (for example, Origen, Homilies on Joshua) draw typological parallels between Adoni-zedek’s overthrow and Christ’s triumph over principalities (Colossians 2:15). Modern application sees the episode as an assurance that the “king of righteousness” ultimately reigns from Zion, foreshadowed in Revelation 19:11-16.

Summary

Adoni-zedek, king of Jerusalem during the Conquest, embodies human arrogance that resists God’s advancing kingdom. His downfall underlines the certainty of divine promises, the priority of covenant faithfulness, and the ultimate victory of the true Lord of righteousness, Jesus Christ.

Forms and Transliterations

צֶ֜דֶק צדק ṣe·ḏeq ṣeḏeq Tzedek

Englishman's Concordance

Joshua 10:1
HEB: כִשְׁמֹ֨עַ אֲדֹֽנִי־ צֶ֜דֶק מֶ֣לֶךְ יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם
NAS: Now it came about when Adoni-zedek king
KJV: Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king
INT: came heard Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem

Joshua 10:3
HEB: וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח אֲדֹנִי־ צֶ֜דֶק מֶ֣לֶךְ יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם
NAS: Therefore Adoni-zedek king
KJV: Wherefore Adonizedek king of Jerusalem
INT: sent Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 139
2 Occurrences

ṣe·ḏeq — 2 Occ.