5717. Adiel
Lexical Summary
Adiel: Adiel

Original Word: עֲדִיאֵל
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: `Adiy'el
Pronunciation: ah-dee-EL
Phonetic Spelling: (ad-ee-ale')
KJV: Adiel
NASB: Adiel
Word Origin: [from H5716 (עֲדִי - ornaments) and H410 (אֵל - God)]

1. ornament of God
2. Adiel, the name of three Israelites

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Adiel

From adiy and 'el; ornament of God; Adiel, the name of three Israelites -- Adiel.

see HEBREW adiy

see HEBREW 'el

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from adi and el
Definition
"God is an ornament," three Isr.
NASB Translation
Adiel (3).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
עֲדִיאֵל proper name, masculine (an ornament is El; compare Sabean proper name עדאל Hal51 Hal2); —

1 a Simeonite 1 Chronicles 4:36, ᵐ5A Εδιηλ, ᵐ5L Αδαηλ.

2 a priest 1 Chronicles 4:36, ᵐ5 Αδιηλ.

3 father of officer, David's time 1 Chronicles 27:25, ᵐ5 Ωδιηλ — compare GrayProp, N. 225, 231.

Topical Lexicon
Etymology and Spiritual Overtones

Adiel, “ornament of God,” expresses a life intended to display the beauty and worth of the LORD. Behind the brief notices stands a testimony that individual Israelites—whether shepherds, priests, or royal officials—were meant to adorn God’s covenant purposes by faithful service.

Scriptural Appearances

1 Chronicles 4:36 – A Simeonite leader listed among those who expanded their territory in the days “when they sought pasture for their flocks.”

1 Chronicles 9:12 – Ancestor of the Jerusalem priest Maasai after the exile.

1 Chronicles 27:25 – Father of Azmaveth, steward of King David’s treasuries.

Historical Context and Roles

1. Tribal Expansion (1 Chronicles 4:24-43)

The Simeonite genealogy culminates in men who “went to the outskirts of Gedor” and subdued the Meunites. Adiel appears amid names that hint at courage in protecting Israel’s southern frontier. Though the Chronicler supplies no further detail, the setting suggests that Adiel’s clan shared in securing pastureland promised to the tribes, embodying the post-Exodus mandate to settle the land under divine blessing (Joshua 21:43-45).

2. Post-Exilic Priesthood (1 Chronicles 9:10-34)

The Chronicler describes those who “lived in Jerusalem,” restoring temple ministry after the captivity. Adiel is the forefather of Maasai, “a leader in the house of God.” This linkage ties the name to the continuity of worship: despite national judgment, the priestly line, traceable to a God-honoring ancestor, remained intact. It underscores the LORD’s faithfulness to preserve servants for His altar (Malachi 3:3).

3. Royal Administration (1 Chronicles 27:25-34)

David’s administrative lists record: “Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the king’s treasuries”. Entrusted with royal wealth, Azmaveth’s appointment reflects not merely personal competence but also the credibility of his father’s house. God-centered stewardship within the monarchy foreshadows the future kingdom in which righteousness and integrity will be upheld (Isaiah 9:7).

Theological Reflections

Covenant Continuity

Adiel’s scattered mentions bridge pre-monarchic tribal life, the zenith of Davidic rule, and the post-exilic return. The name threads through Israel’s story, highlighting how the LORD weaves individual families into His larger redemptive tapestry.

Faithful Obscurity

Adiel himself performs no recorded exploit, yet the biblical text remembers him three times. Scripture’s economy signals that quiet fidelity—raising a trustworthy son, guarding pastures, upholding priestly lineage—is precious in God’s sight (Hebrews 6:10).

Divine Ornamentation

To bear the name “ornament of God” is to affirm that holiness beautifies (Psalm 29:2). Whether in the wilderness, the city of Jerusalem, or the royal court, the true adornment of life is devotion to the LORD.

Practical Lessons

• God values unnamed diligence; hidden faithfulness can influence generations.
• Spiritual beauty is displayed through vocation—agricultural, priestly, or administrative—when offered to God.
• Genealogies remind believers that heritage and legacy matter; present obedience shapes future ministry.

Thus, Adiel’s brief appearances encourage every disciple to adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things (Titus 2:10).

Forms and Transliterations
וַעֲדִיאֵ֛ל ועדיאל עֲדִיאֵ֑ל עֲדִיאֵ֧ל עדיאל ‘ă·ḏî·’êl ‘ăḏî’êl adiEl vaadiEl wa‘ăḏî’êl wa·‘ă·ḏî·’êl
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Chronicles 4:36
HEB: וִ֠ישׁוֹחָיָה וַעֲשָׂיָ֧ה וַעֲדִיאֵ֛ל וִישִׂימִאֵ֖ל וּבְנָיָֽה׃
NAS: Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel,
KJV: and Asaiah, and Adiel, and Jesimiel,
INT: Jeshohaiah Asaiah Adiel Jesimiel Benaiah

1 Chronicles 9:12
HEB: וּמַעְשַׂ֨י בֶּן־ עֲדִיאֵ֧ל בֶּן־ יַחְזֵ֛רָה
NAS: the son of Adiel, the son
KJV: the son of Adiel, the son
INT: and Maasai the son of Adiel the son of Jahzerah

1 Chronicles 27:25
HEB: עַזְמָ֖וֶת בֶּן־ עֲדִיאֵ֑ל ס וְעַ֣ל
NAS: the son of Adiel had charge
KJV: the son of Adiel: and over the storehouses
INT: now Azmaveth the son of Adiel had charge of the storehouses

3 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 5717
3 Occurrences


‘ă·ḏî·’êl — 2 Occ.
wa·‘ă·ḏî·’êl — 1 Occ.

5716
Top of Page
Top of Page