Lexical Summary Abdon: Abdon Original Word: עַבְדוֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Abdon From abad; servitude; Abdon, the name of a place in Palestine and of four Israelites -- Abdon. Compare Ebron. see HEBREW abad see HEBREW Ebron NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom abad Definition four Isr., also a Levitical city NASB Translation Abdon (8). Brown-Driver-Briggs עַבְדּוֺן proper name I. proper name, masculine 1. a judge Judges 12:13,15, ᵐ5 Αβδων, A ᵐ5L Λαβδω(μ); (Ew compare בְּדָן 1 Samuel 12:11, but read בָּרָק, see בְּדָן above). 2 a Benjamite 1 Chronicles 8:23, ᵐ5 Αβαδων, A ᵐ5L Αβδων. 3 son of Jehiel a Gibeonite 1 Chronicles 8:30; 1 Chronicles 9:36; ᵐ5 Αβαλων, Σαβαδων, A Αβδων, Σαβδων, ᵐ5L Αβδων. 4 son of Micah2Chronicles 34:20, ᵐ5 Αβδοδομ, A ᵐ5L Αβδων (= עַכְבּוֺר 2 Kings 22:12). II. proper name, of a location Levitical city in Asher Joshua 21:30; 1 Chronicles 6:59, ᵐ5 Δαββων, Αβαραν, A ᵐ5L Αβδων (20 Manuscripts read עַבְדֹּן Joshua 19:28 for עֶבְרֹן), `Abde, GuérinGal 2, 37 compare BuhlGeogr. 230. עוֺבָל, I. עֵיבָל proper name, of a people Arabian people, descended from Joktan according to Genesis 10:28 (ᵐ5L Γαιβαλ); = עֵיבָל 1 Chronicles 1:22 (ᵐ5L Ηβηλ). On location compare GlaserSkizze ii. 426. I. עֵיבָל see עוֺבָל above II. עֵיבָל proper name, masculine or of a people name in Edom, Genesis 36:23 (ᵐ5 Γαιβηλ), = 1 Chronicles 1:40 (ᵐ5 Γαιβηλ), A Γαοβηλ ᵐ5L Ουβαλ); according to GlaserSkizze ii. 426 possibly = foregoing (compare with name of (god) B¢l, WklGeschichte. Israel 120; Alttest. Unters. 117 f.). III. עֵיבָל proper name, of a mountain Ebal, the mountain of cursing, north of Shechem (Nabulus), and opposite Mt. Gerizim (mountain of blessing, south of Shechem), Deuteronomy 11:29, also Joshua 8:30,33 (D); ᵐ5 Γαιβαλ (connection with above √ dubious; on בל = B¢l, compare GrayProp. N. 124 n., and references); — on Ebal see RobBR ii. 275 ff. GASmGeogr. Ch. vi. DiDeuteronomy 11:29 Drib. BdPal. (1898), 257. עבץ ( √ of following; meaning unknown). Topical Lexicon Name and Thematic EmphasisAbdon is a personal and place name whose consonants are built on the concept of service. Throughout Scripture the bearers of the name are consistently placed in roles that highlight faithful labor on behalf of others—whether judging, advising a king, or sustaining the worship of God by providing pasturelands for the Levites. Occurrences in Scripture 1. A Levitical town allotted to the Gershonites within the tribal territory of Asher (Joshua 21:30; 1 Chronicles 6:74). Abdon the Levitical City Situated in the fertile region of Asher, Abdon provided “its pasturelands” (Joshua 21:30) to the Gershonite clan. The gift of pasturelands ensured that the priests who maintained the sanctuary could tend their flocks without neglecting their temple responsibilities. The city therefore illustrates Israel’s covenantal obligation to sustain those who minister in holy things (Numbers 18:21-24). As a coastal tribe, Asher enjoyed agricultural plenty; the inclusion of Abdon among its towns underscores God’s provision for both clergy and laity when the land is stewarded in obedience. Abdon the Judge “After him Abdon son of Hillel, the Pirathonite, judged Israel. He had forty sons and thirty grandsons who rode on seventy donkeys, and he judged Israel eight years.” (Judges 12:13-14) His short tenure follows the turbulent leadership of Jephthah, Ibzan, and Elon. Scripture presents no military exploits, suggesting Abdon’s judgeship was characterized by administrative stability rather than warfare. The seventy donkeys portray wealth and orderly governance; mounted family members could traverse tribal boundaries to resolve civic disputes. The size of his household further hints at the restorative blessing of God in a period otherwise marred by tribal conflict. Abdon in Benjamite Genealogies Three Benjamite men named Abdon appear in 1 Chronicles 8 and 9. Their placement among palace-adjacent lineages (sons of Shashak, sons of Jehiel, and the forebears of the Gibeonites) connects the name to the future monarchy. In a tribe sometimes associated with civil strife (Judges 19-21), these genealogies announce God’s intention to preserve a faithful remnant who will support proper worship in Jerusalem. Abdon, Adviser to Josiah When Hilkiah found the neglected Book of the Law, King Josiah immediately sought counsel: “So Hilkiah and those the king had appointed went to Huldah the prophetess…” (2 Chronicles 34:22). Abdon son of Micah was among those chosen. His inclusion in the royal delegation shows the high regard in which he was held and illustrates how God positioned servants of proven loyalty at decisive moments of national repentance. By participating in Josiah’s reforms, Abdon helped usher in one of Judah’s greatest revivals. Ministerial and Spiritual Significance Service: Every occurrence of Abdon is linked to service—pasturelands for Levites, judicial administration, royal counsel, and covenantal faithfulness within families. Stewardship: The city’s pasturelands and the judge’s donkeys both address resource management under God’s lordship. Continuity: From the early settlement period (Joshua) to the last righteous king (Josiah), Abdon threads through Israel’s account as a reminder that faithful servants are indispensable in every generation. Typological Insights The judge’s seventy donkey-mounted descendants echo the seventy disciples whom Jesus later sends out (Luke 10:1). Both groups represent a multiplication of delegated authority intended to extend just governance or gospel peace to every locality. In this light, Abdon foreshadows Christ’s provision of qualified servants to shepherd His people. Lessons for Today 1. God honors and remembers quiet but steadfast service. Abdon’s brief yet varied appearances call believers to embrace servant-hearted leadership, diligent stewardship, and a readiness to stand for covenant truth whenever God summons. Forms and Transliterations וְעַבְדּ֥וֹן ועבדון עַבְדּ֑וֹן עַבְדּ֖וֹן עַבְדּ֥וֹן עַבְדּ֨וֹן עבדון ‘aḇ·dō·wn ‘aḇdōwn avDon veavDon wə‘aḇdōwn wə·‘aḇ·dō·wnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 21:30 HEB: מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ אֶת־ עַבְדּ֖וֹן וְאֶת־ מִגְרָשֶֽׁהָ׃ NAS: lands, Abdon with its pasture lands, KJV: with her suburbs, Abdon with her suburbs, INT: Mishal pasture Abdon lands Judges 12:13 Judges 12:15 1 Chronicles 6:74 1 Chronicles 8:23 1 Chronicles 8:30 1 Chronicles 9:36 2 Chronicles 34:20 8 Occurrences |
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