292. Achinadab
Lexical Summary
Achinadab: Achinadab

Original Word: אֲחִינָדָב
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Achiynadab
Pronunciation: a-khee-naw-dawb'
Phonetic Spelling: (akh-ee-naw-dawb')
KJV: Ahinadab
NASB: Ahinadab
Word Origin: [from H251 (אָח - brother) and H5068 (נָדַב - offered willingly)]

1. brother of liberality
2. Achinadab, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Ahinadab

From 'ach and nadab; brother of liberality; Achinadab, an Israelite -- Ahinadab.

see HEBREW 'ach

see HEBREW nadab

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from ach and nadab
Definition
"my brother is noble," an official of Solomon
NASB Translation
Ahinadab (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
אֲחִינָדָב proper name, masculine (my brother is noble) an officer of Solomon 1 Kings 4:14.

Topical Lexicon
Biblical Occurrence

Ahinadab appears once in Scripture, listed among the twelve officials appointed by King Solomon to supply provisions for the royal court (1 Kings 4:14).

Historical Context

Solomon’s reign (circa 971–931 BC) was characterized by unprecedented peace and prosperity in Israel. In order to maintain his expansive administration, Solomon organized the nation into twelve districts, each overseen by a trusted officer who furnished the palace with food for one month of every year (1 Kings 4:7). Ahinadab’s inclusion in this cadre shows the breadth of Solomon’s organizational skills and the cooperative spirit expected of Israel’s leadership.

Geographical Setting: Mahanaim and Gilead

Ahinadab governed the region of Mahanaim, a city east of the Jordan River in Gilead. Mahanaim held earlier significance as the refuge of Jacob (Genesis 32:2) and later as the stronghold of David during Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 17:24). By Solomon’s day the area was fertile and strategically placed along trade routes, making it well suited to supply grain, livestock, and produce for the royal household.

Administrative Function under Solomon

1 Kings 4:27 records the success of the district officers: “Each month the governors in turn provided food for King Solomon and all who came to his table. They saw to it that nothing was lacking.” Ahinadab’s month of service would have involved coordinating harvests, transport, and distribution so that the king’s extensive retinue never lacked necessities. His role exemplifies competent stewardship in civil service, contributing to the overall stability and prosperity of the kingdom.

Relationship to Other Figures

Ahinadab is identified as “son of Iddo” (1 Kings 4:14). Scripture does not equate this Iddo with the later prophet of that name (2 Chronicles 9:29), but the shared family name hints at a lineage trusted and possibly influential within Israel. Ahinadab’s trustworthiness is implied by his appointment to an important border district, reflecting Solomon’s reliance on proven loyalty rather than simple tribal affiliation.

Spiritual and Theological Insights

1. Divine Order: The orderly structure of Solomon’s administration mirrors the divine emphasis on organization seen throughout Scripture—from the encampment of Israel in the wilderness (Numbers 2) to the distribution of gifts within the Church (1 Corinthians 14:40). Ahinadab’s post underscores that God’s people thrive when leadership is both wise and organized.
2. Provision and Faithfulness: Just as God provided manna in the wilderness, He now supplies through human agency. Ahinadab’s faithful monthly service pictures believers who steward earthly resources so that the work of God may continue unhindered (Philippians 4:18–19).
3. Unity of the Kingdom: The rotating provision system fostered national solidarity. Citizens from Mahanaim served Jerusalem, symbolizing mutual dependence among the tribes—an enduring principle for the unity of God’s people (Ephesians 4:16).

Practical Reflections for Believers

• Faithful service in seemingly administrative tasks is essential to the flourishing of God’s work; no role is insignificant when performed unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23–24).
• Wise stewardship includes planning, accountability, and generosity—qualities modeled by Ahinadab’s month-long provision.
• Cooperation across geographic and cultural lines strengthens the testimony of God’s people, echoing the cooperative structure established in Solomon’s Israel.

Ahinadab thus stands as a concise yet instructive example of loyal service, prudent management, and the harmony that results when God’s people labor together under His ordained leaders.

Forms and Transliterations
אֲחִֽינָדָ֥ב אחינדב ’ă·ḥî·nā·ḏāḇ ’ăḥînāḏāḇ achinaDav
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Kings 4:14
HEB: אֲחִֽינָדָ֥ב בֶּן־ עִדֹּ֖א
NAS: Ahinadab the son of Iddo,
KJV: Ahinadab the son of Iddo
INT: Ahinadab the son of Iddo

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 292
1 Occurrence


’ă·ḥî·nā·ḏāḇ — 1 Occ.

291
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