3936. Ladan

Lexical Summary

Ladan: Ladan

Original Word: לַעְדָּן
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: La`dan
Pronunciation: lah-DAHN
Phonetic Spelling: (lah-dawn')
KJV: Laadan
NASB: Ladan
Word Origin: [from the same as H3935 (לַעדָּה - Laadah)]

1. Ladan, the name of two Israelites

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Laadan

From the same as La'dah; Ladan, the name of two Israelites -- Laadan.

see HEBREW La'dah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from the same as Ladah
Definition
an Ephraimite, also a Gershonite
NASB Translation
Ladan (7).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

לַעְדָּן proper name, masculine 1. an Ephraimite 1 Chronicles 7:26 ᵐ5 Λαδ(δ)αν

2 a Gershonite 1 Chronicles 23:7,8,9; 1 Chronicles 26:21 (3 t. in verse) ᵐ5 Εδαν, A Λ(ε)αδαν, Ξαδαν ᵐ5^L Λααδαν.

לעה see לוע

Topical Lexicon

Occurrences in Scripture

Laadan appears seven times, all in 1 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 7:26; 1 Chronicles 23:7-9; 1 Chronicles 26:21 [threefold mention]), designating two distinct individuals and a family line.

1. Laadan of Ephraim (1 Chronicles 7:26)

• Position: A seventh-generation descendant of Ephraim.
• Setting: Listed within the post-exodus tribal genealogy that prepares the reader for the leadership tribes will exercise in the land.
• Significance: By preserving Ephraim’s lineage down to Joshua’s era (cf. 1 Chronicles 7:27), the Chronicler underlines God’s covenant faithfulness to the tribes west of the Jordan and reminds the post-exilic community that their identity is anchored in promises stretching back to the patriarchs.

2. Laadan (Ladan) the Gershonite (1 Chronicles 23:7-9; 1 Chronicles 26:21)

• Lineage: Eldest son of the Gershonite branch of Levi, brother of Shimei.
• Sons: “Jehiel the first, Zetham, and Joel—three” (1 Chronicles 23:8).
• Expanded Household: Later designated through his descendant “Jehieli” (a contracted form of Jehiel) who fathers Jeheth and Joel (1 Chronicles 26:21-22).
• Ministry Assignment: In David’s re-organization of the Levites, Laadan’s household is entrusted with oversight of the treasury connected to the house of the LORD. Their service supports the preparations for the temple Solomon will build (1 Chronicles 26:20-28).
• Repetition in the Text: 1 Chronicles 26:21 echoes Laadan’s name three times to clarify both ancestry and duty, emphasizing meticulous record-keeping of sacred trusts.

Genealogical and Historical Importance

1. Chronicles relies on accurate genealogies to authenticate temple personnel after the exile. Naming Laadan anchors Levitical service in verifiable history and legitimizes post-exilic worship practices.
2. The dual appearance—first an Ephraimite layman, then a Levite patriarch—illustrates Israel’s unity: every tribe, whether priestly or not, contributes to covenant life.
3. The Chronicler’s repeated reference protects against confusion with other similarly named clans, preserving the distinct lines that were vital for determining priestly eligibility (cf. Ezra 2:61-63).

Levitical Stewardship and Temple Economy

Laadan’s Gershonite descendants handle “the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries of the dedicated things” (1 Chronicles 26:20). Their task involves safeguarding contributions from David’s military victories and gifts consecrated for temple construction (1 Chronicles 26:26-28). The stewardship model demonstrates that worship encompasses both liturgical acts and faithful administration of resources. The Chronicler highlights:
• Accountability: Specific family heads manage specified assets.
• Continuity: The same clan line serves from David through subsequent generations, ensuring institutional stability.
• Holiness: Even material goods become sacred when devoted to the LORD, demanding caretakers of proven pedigree and integrity.

Spiritual Lessons

• God values faithfulness in hidden service. Unlike priests who served visibly at the altar, Laadan’s line labored behind the scenes, yet Scripture records their names permanently.
• Proper record-keeping in ministry matters. Detailed genealogies discourage confusion and corruption, reflecting the divine order that Paul later urges: “everything must be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40).
• Covenant blessing flows through generations that honor their calling. From Laadan to Jehiel to Jehieli, each link preserves the trust handed down, illustrating Psalm 145:4, “One generation will commend Your works to the next.”

Key Passages for Study

• 1 Chronicles 23:7-9 – Initial assignment of the Gershonites.
• 1 Chronicles 26:20-28 – Treasury duties and the safeguarding of dedicated spoils.
• 1 Chronicles 7:20-27 – Ephraim’s genealogy culminating in Joshua, framing Laadan within Israel’s conquest narrative.

Observations for Modern Application

While most believers will not handle literal temple treasuries, every Christian steward’s time, gifts, and resources. Laadan’s recorded faithfulness challenges today’s church to honor even quiet ministries with the same diligence, knowing that the “LORD records the peoples” (Psalm 87:6) and rewards steadfast service.

Forms and Transliterations

לְלַעְדָּ֗ן לְלַעְדָּ֥ן לְלַעְדָּֽן׃ לַ֠עְדָּן לַעְדָּ֗ן לַעְדָּ֥ן ללעדן ללעדן׃ לעדן la‘·dān la‘dān laDan Ladon lə·la‘·dān ləla‘dān lelaDan

Englishman's Concordance

1 Chronicles 7:26
HEB: לַעְדָּ֥ן בְּנ֛וֹ עַמִּיה֥וּד
NAS: Ladan his son, Ammihud
KJV: Laadan his son, Ammihud
INT: Ladan his son Ammihud

1 Chronicles 23:7
HEB: לַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֖י לַעְדָּ֥ן וְשִׁמְעִֽי׃ ס
NAS: Of the Gershonites [were] Ladan and Shimei.
KJV: Of the Gershonites [were], Laadan, and Shimei.
INT: of the Gershonites Ladan and Shimei

1 Chronicles 23:8
HEB: בְּנֵ֣י לַעְדָּ֗ן הָרֹ֧אשׁ יְחִיאֵ֛ל
NAS: The sons of Ladan [were] Jehiel
KJV: The sons of Laadan; the chief
INT: the sons of Ladan the first Jehiel

1 Chronicles 23:9
HEB: רָאשֵׁ֥י הָאָב֖וֹת לְלַעְדָּֽן׃ ס
NAS: of the fathers' [households] of Ladan.
KJV: of the fathers of Laadan.
INT: were the heads of the fathers' Ladan

1 Chronicles 26:21
HEB: בְּנֵ֣י לַ֠עְדָּן בְּנֵ֨י הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֜י
NAS: The sons of Ladan, the sons
KJV: [As concerning] the sons of Laadan; the sons
INT: the sons of Ladan the sons of the Gershonites

1 Chronicles 26:21
HEB: בְּנֵ֨י הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֜י לְלַעְדָּ֗ן רָאשֵׁ֧י הָאָב֛וֹת
NAS: of the Gershonites belonging to Ladan, [namely], the Jehielites,
KJV: of the Gershonite Laadan, chief
INT: the sons of the Gershonites to Ladan the heads of the fathers'

1 Chronicles 26:21
HEB: רָאשֵׁ֧י הָאָב֛וֹת לְלַעְדָּ֥ן הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֖י יְחִיאֵלִֽי׃
NAS: of the fathers' [households], belonging to Ladan the Gershonite.
KJV: fathers, [even] of Laadan the Gershonite,
INT: the heads of the fathers' to Ladan the Gershonite the Jehielites

7 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 3936
7 Occurrences

la‘·dān — 3 Occ.
la‘·dān — 1 Occ.
lə·la‘·dān — 3 Occ.