Lexical Summary Towb Adoniyahuw: Tob-Adonijah Original Word: טוֹב אֲדֹנִיָּהוּ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Tob-adonijah From towb and 'Adoniyah; pleasing (to) Adonijah; Tob-Adonijah, an Israelite -- Tob-adonijah. see HEBREW towb see HEBREW 'Adoniyah Brown-Driver-Briggs טוֺב אֲדוֺנִיָּה proper name, masculine (good is my Lord, ׳י) — וַאֲדֹנִיָּהוּ וְטוֺבִיָּהוּ וְטוֺב אֲדוֺנִיָּה in list of Levites assigned to reign of Jehoshaphat 2Chronicles 17:8, but text suspicious; ᵐ5L τωβαδωνια, but ᵐ5 only τωβαδωβεια for all three names. Topical Lexicon Meaning of the Name Tob-adonijah (טוֹב אֲדֹנִיָּהוּ) carries the sense “Yahweh is good” or “the goodness of my Lord.” The compound confession unites the adjective “good” with the divine title “my Lord,” expressing personal trust in the benevolence and covenant faithfulness of God. Scriptural Occurrence The name appears once, in 2 Chronicles 17:8, within the record of King Jehoshaphat’s educational reform: “With them were certain Levites—Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tob-adonijah, and Tobijah—and with these Levites were Elishama and Jehoram, the priests” (Berean Standard Bible). Historical Context: Jehoshaphat’s Reform After securing his throne, Jehoshaphat devoted himself to strengthening Judah spiritually (2 Chronicles 17:3–6). In his third regnal year he organized a nationwide teaching mission that paired royal officials with Levites and priests. Their mandate was to circulate “the Book of the Law of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 17:9) so that every city might hear and obey God’s statutes. The reform echoes Deuteronomy’s call for continual instruction (Deuteronomy 6:6–9) and anticipates later renewals under Hezekiah, Josiah, and Ezra. Role in the Teaching Mission Tob-adonijah is listed among the Levites sent out. Though the Chronicler supplies no personal exploits, the inclusion of his name signals that he bore recognized authority as a teacher of Torah. Levites traditionally assisted priests by expounding Scripture (Deuteronomy 33:10); Jehoshaphat broadened that mandate to the entire kingdom. Tob-adonijah, traveling from town to town with scroll in hand, stood at the intersection of royal initiative and Levitical calling, embodying the principle that the Word of God must be made plain to the people (Nehemiah 8:8). Theological Significance 1. God’s goodness proclaimed. The very name Tob-adonijah underscored the message he carried: the LORD is good, therefore His commands are good (Psalm 119:68). His ministry matched his name. Lessons for Contemporary Ministry • Hidden servants are indispensable. Although Scripture records no separate acts by Tob-adonijah, his obedience contributed to a national revival that produced peace (2 Chronicles 17:10). Faithfulness in seemingly small roles advances God’s larger purposes (1 Corinthians 4:1–2). Related Biblical Themes and Passages Deuteronomy 6:6–9; Deuteronomy 33:10 Tob-adonijah’s solitary mention thus serves as a quiet yet enduring witness to the goodness of the Lord and the enduring necessity of sound, Scripture-based teaching among God’s people. Forms and Transliterations אֲדוֹנִיָּ֖ה אדוניה ’ă·ḏō·w·nî·yāh ’ăḏōwnîyāh adoniYahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Chronicles 17:8 HEB: וְטֽוֹבִיָּ֛הוּ וְט֥וֹב אֲדוֹנִיָּ֖ה הַלְוִיִּ֑ם וְעִמָּהֶ֛ם NAS: Tobijah and Tobadonijah, the Levites; KJV: and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; INT: Adonijah Tobijah and Tobadonijah the Levites them 1 Occurrence |
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