Lexical Summary Adullami: Adullamite Original Word: עֲדֻלָּמִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Adullamite Patrial from Adullam; an Adullamite or native of Adullam -- Adullamite. see HEBREW Adullam NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Adullam Definition inhab. of Adullam NASB Translation Adullamite (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs עֲדֻלָּמִי adjective, of a people Adullamite; — ׳אִישׁ ע Genesis 38:1, ׳הָע as substantive Genesis 38:12; Genesis 38:20. I. עדן (√ of foll.; compare Arabic Topical Lexicon OverviewThe term designates an inhabitant or native of Adullam, an ancient town in the low hill country of Judah. In Genesis 38 it is applied to Hirah, the friend of Judah, whose association with the patriarch provides the narrative setting for Judah’s marriage into Canaan and the birth of Perez and Zerah, ancestors of David and, ultimately, of the Messiah. Geographical Setting of Adullam Adullam lay in the Shephelah, the fertile foothills between the Judean highlands and the Philistine plain. Its strategic position placed it on key trade and military routes, giving its citizens contact with various peoples of Canaan. Archaeological identification centers on Tell es-Sheikh Madhkur or Khirbet esh-Sheikh Ghurab, about 20 kilometers southwest of Bethlehem. The surrounding limestone hills are honeycombed with natural caves, providing the stronghold later used by David (1 Samuel 22:1) and recalled in Micah 1:15 as a place of refuge in moments of national crisis. Occurrences in Genesis 38 Genesis 38:1 records, “About that time, Judah left his brothers and settled near a man named Hirah, an Adullamite.” Verses 12 and 20 repeat the designation, underscoring Hirah’s ongoing companionship with Judah. The threefold mention: • Marks Judah’s physical and spiritual distance from his brothers, foreshadowing the moral descent that follows. Historical Development of Adullam and Its People 1. Davidic Era: David sought asylum in “the cave of Adullam” (1 Samuel 22:1), transforming the site into a rallying point for the disaffected who would become his mighty men. The locale thus shifted from Canaanite context to Israelite significance, mirroring the shift Judah himself would experience from compromise to covenant faithfulness. 2. Monarchic Fortifications: Rehoboam strengthened Adullam among his southern defenses (2 Chronicles 11:7), testifying to its enduring strategic value. 3. Post-Exilic Return: Adullam appears among the towns resettled after the Babylonian captivity (Nehemiah 11:30), confirming its integration within the restored community and its continuity in Judean identity. The Adullamite in Salvation History Hirah’s label points to more than geography; it highlights the faith tension between covenant people and surrounding culture. Judah’s entanglement with Canaan led to personal compromise, yet God sovereignly preserved the promised seed. The narrative prepares readers for later Adullam episodes: David’s humble refuge prior to kingship and the prophetic warning through Micah. Together these strands reveal God’s consistent pattern of using unlikely places and people to advance His purposes. Lessons for Faith and Ministry • Companionship shapes destiny: Judah’s alliance with an Adullamite contributed to his drift, reminding believers to guard associations that influence spiritual direction (1 Corinthians 15:33). • Divine grace overrules human failure: Though Judah erred, God preserved the lineage that culminates in Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:3), demonstrating that human weakness cannot thwart redemptive plans. • Places of retreat become platforms for renewal: The caves that once housed Canaanite residents became the crucible for David’s formation, illustrating how God repurposes former strongholds for His kingdom (Psalm 57 title). • Community restoration is possible: Adullam’s inclusion in Nehemiah’s resettlement lists encourages rebuilding broken places under God’s covenant promises. Key References Genesis 38:1, 12, 20; 1 Samuel 22:1; 2 Samuel 23:13; 2 Chronicles 11:7; Nehemiah 11:30; Micah 1:15; Matthew 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:33 Forms and Transliterations הָֽעֲדֻלָּמִ֔י הָעֲדֻלָּמִ֖י העדלמי עֲדֻלָּמִ֖י עדלמי ‘ă·ḏul·lā·mî ‘ăḏullāmî adullaMi hā‘ăḏullāmî hā·‘ă·ḏul·lā·mî haadullaMiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 38:1 HEB: עַד־ אִ֥ישׁ עֲדֻלָּמִ֖י וּשְׁמ֥וֹ חִירָֽה׃ NAS: a certain Adullamite, whose name KJV: in to a certain Adullamite, whose name INT: against A certain Adullamite name was Hirah Genesis 38:12 Genesis 38:20 3 Occurrences |
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mollities, lanquor, etc., Frey (Kam.); Palmyrene עדנא (good) fortune Cook89; Late Hebrew עִידּוּן luxuriousness).