Lexical Summary Abdeel: Abdeel Original Word: עַבְדְּאֵל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Abdeel, an Israelite From abad and 'el; serving God; Abdeel, an Israelite: Abdeel. Compare Abdiy'el. see HEBREW abad see HEBREW 'el see HEBREW Abdiy'el NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom abad and el Definition "servant of God," a man of Judah NASB Translation Abdeel (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs עַבְדְּאֵל proper name, masculine (servant of El, compare עַבְדִּיאֵל) name in Judah Jeremiah 36:26; ᵐ5 Ες(δ)ριηλ. Topical Lexicon Name Significance “Abdeel” conveys the idea of a life wholly yielded to the will of the living God—“servant of God.” The name anticipates later biblical teaching that greatness is measured not by status but by obedience (Matthew 23:11). Historical Setting in Jeremiah 36 The single reference (Jeremiah 36:26) places Abdeel as the father of Shelemiah, an official in King Jehoiakim’s court during the crisis provoked by the prophetic scroll. Jehoiakim’s calculated shredding of Jeremiah’s message (Jeremiah 36:23) signaled open revolt against the word of the LORD, and the royal order to arrest Baruch and Jeremiah enlisted Shelemiah “son of Abdeel.” The text records, “But the LORD had hidden them” (Berean Standard Bible), underscoring divine protection even while human authority attempted suppression. Family Connections and Possible Identification Shelemiah son of Abdeel may be the same Shelemiah who fathered Jehucal (Jeremiah 37:3; Jeremiah 38:1). If so, Abdeel’s household spanned both the reigns of Jehoiakim and Zedekiah, linking it to repeated interactions with Jeremiah. The family appears among the bureaucratic class—men close enough to the throne to be entrusted with delicate missions—yet Scripture never charges them personally with the king’s wickedness. This silence invites reflection on individuals caught between political loyalty and divine revelation. Theological Themes 1. Servanthood Tested: The very name “servant of God” juxtaposed with a mission aimed at silencing God’s prophet highlights the danger of nominal piety detached from obedient action (James 1:22). Lessons for Ministry Servanthood in Canonical Perspective Abdeel’s name aligns him conceptually with other Old Testament servants such as Abraham (Genesis 26:24) and Moses (Joshua 1:2), and with the prophetic “Servant” songs (Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah 53:11). In the New Testament, ultimate servanthood is embodied in Jesus Christ, “taking the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7) and fulfilling what earlier servants merely prefigured. Christological Reflection The failed attempt to arrest Jeremiah foreshadows the authorities’ pursuit of Jesus, yet just as Jeremiah’s life was preserved until his mission ended, so Christ declared, “My time has not yet come” (John 7:30). The parallel reinforces the sovereignty of God over redemptive events and the certainty that His word will stand despite human resistance. Contemporary Application Believers today, like Abdeel’s family, operate in secular systems often at odds with biblical conviction. The narrative urges modern disciples to ensure that identity—as servants of God—is matched by conduct that honors the Word, trusting the Lord to guard His own and accomplish His purposes. Related Passages for Further Study Jeremiah 36:21–32; Jeremiah 37:1–3; Isaiah 42:1–4; Matthew 12:18; John 15:20; Acts 4:19; Acts 5:29; Philippians 2:5–11. Forms and Transliterations עַבְדְּאֵ֔ל עבדאל ‘aḇ·də·’êl ‘aḇdə’êl avdeElLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Jeremiah 36:26 HEB: שֶֽׁלֶמְיָ֙הוּ֙ בֶּֽן־ עַבְדְּאֵ֔ל לָקַ֙חַת֙ אֶת־ NAS: the son of Abdeel to seize KJV: the son of Abdeel, to take INT: and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel to seize Baruch 1 Occurrence |
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