Raddai
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Raddai is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the genealogical records of the tribe of Judah. He is noted as one of the sons of Jesse, making him a brother to the renowned King David. The name "Raddai" is of Hebrew origin, and while the exact meaning is uncertain, it is often associated with the concept of ruling or dominion.

Biblical References:

Raddai is mentioned in the context of Jesse's family in the First Book of Chronicles. The relevant passage is found in 1 Chronicles 2:13-15 :

"Jesse was the father of Eliab his firstborn; Abinadab was second, Shimea third, Nethanel fourth, Raddai fifth, Ozem sixth, and David seventh."

This genealogical listing places Raddai as the fifth son of Jesse. The passage highlights the lineage and family structure from which David, the future king of Israel, emerged. Raddai's inclusion in this list underscores the importance of Jesse's family in the narrative of Israel's history, as it sets the stage for the rise of David, a central figure in the biblical narrative.

Historical and Theological Context:

The genealogies in the Bible, such as the one mentioning Raddai, serve several purposes. They establish the historical and familial context of key biblical figures, affirming the fulfillment of God's promises through specific lineages. In the case of Jesse's family, the genealogy emphasizes the divine selection of David as king, a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14).

While Raddai himself does not play a prominent role in biblical events, his mention is significant in understanding the broader narrative of God's covenant with Israel. The tribe of Judah, from which Raddai descends, holds particular importance as it is prophesied to be the tribe from which the Messiah would come (Genesis 49:10). This prophecy is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is often referred to as the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" (Revelation 5:5).

Cultural and Genealogical Significance:

In ancient Israelite culture, genealogies were crucial for establishing identity, inheritance rights, and tribal affiliations. Raddai's place in the genealogy of Jesse highlights the importance of family heritage and the continuity of God's plan through successive generations. The listing of Jesse's sons, including Raddai, serves to authenticate the historical claims of the biblical narrative and to trace the lineage through which God's redemptive work would unfold.

Conclusion:

Raddai, though a relatively obscure figure in the biblical text, is part of a significant genealogical record that underscores the providential unfolding of God's plan for Israel and the world. His mention in the lineage of Jesse connects him to the broader account of redemption that culminates in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Raddai

ruling; coming down

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Raddai

(trampling), one of David's brothers, fifth son of Jesse. (1 Chronicles 2:14)

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
RADDAI

rad'-a-i, ra-da'-i (radday, "beating down"(?)): The 5th of the 7 sons of Jesse, father of David, according to 1 Chronicles 2:14 Septuagint, Codex Alexdrinus, "Rhaddai"; Lucian, "Rhedai"; others, "Zaddai".epulchral monument, has long disappeared, the spot is marked until this day, and Christians, Jews and Mohammedans unite in honoring it. The present tomb, which, apparently, is not older than the 15th century, is built in the style of the small-domed buildings raised by Moslems in honor of their saints. It is a rough structure of four square walls, each about 23 ft. long and 20 ft. high; the dome rising 10 ft. higher is used by Mohammedans for prayer, while on Fridays the Jews make supplication before the empty tomb within. It is doubtful, but probable, that it marks the exact spot where Rachel was buried. There are, apparently, two traditions as to the location of the place. The oldest tradition, based upon Genesis 35:16-20; Genesis 48:7, points to a place one mile North of Bethlehem and 4 miles from Jerusalem. Matthew 2:18 speaks for this place, since the evangelist, reporting the slaughter of the innocents of Bethlehem, represents Rachel as weeping for her children from her neighboring grave. But according to 1 Samuel 10:2;, which apparently represents another tradition, the place of Rachel's grave was on the "border of Benjamin," near Beth-el, about 10 miles North of Jerusalem, at another unknown Ephrath. This location, some believe, is corroborated by Jeremiah 31:15, where the prophet, in relating the leading away of the people of Ramah, which was in Benjamin, into captivity, introduces Rachel the mother of that tribe as bewailing the fate of her descendants. Those that believe this northern location to be the place of Rachel's grave take the words, "the same is Beth-lehem," in Genesis 35:19; Genesis 48:7, to be an incorrect gloss; but that is a mere assumption lacking sufficient proof.o, following J. P. Peters, rearranges the text by transferring the clause "and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council" to the end of the preceding verse (Encyclopaedia Biblica, IV, cols. 4001). There certainly does not seem to be trustworthy external evidence to prove that the terms "the judgment," "the council," "the Gehenna of fire" stand to each other in a relation of gradation, as lower and higher legal courts, or would be so understood by Christ's hearers. What is beyond dispute is that Christ condemns the use of disparaging and insulting epithets as a supreme offense against the law of humanity, which belongs to the same category as murder itself. It should be added, however, that it is the underlying feeling and not the verbal expression as such that constitutes the sin. Hence, our Lord can, without any real inconsistency, address two of His followers as "foolish men" (Luke 24:25, anoetoi, practically equivalent to Raca, as is also James's expression, "O vain man," James 2:20).

Strong's Hebrew
7288. Radday -- a son of Jesse
... 7287b, 7288. Radday. 7289 . a son of Jesse. Transliteration: Radday Phonetic
Spelling: (rad-dah'-ee) Short Definition: Raddai. ... Raddai. ...
/hebrew/7288.htm - 6k
Thesaurus
Raddai (1 Occurrence)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia RADDAI. ...Raddai (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 2:14 Nethanel
the fourth, Raddai the fifth, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) ...
/r/raddai.htm - 10k

Radiance (9 Occurrences)

/r/radiance.htm - 9k

Nethaneel (14 Occurrences)
... the son of Zuar. (KJV DBY WBS). 1 Chronicles 2:14 Nethaneel the fourth,
Raddai the fifth, (KJV DBY WBS YLT). 1 Chronicles 15:24 And ...
/n/nethaneel.htm - 11k

Nethan'el (14 Occurrences)
... Nethanel the son of Zuar. (See RSV). 1 Chronicles 2:14 Nethanel the fourth,
Raddai the fifth; (See RSV). 1 Chronicles 15:24 And Shebaniah ...
/n/nethan'el.htm - 10k

Nethanel (14 Occurrences)
... Issachar. (WEB JPS ASV BBE NAS NIV). 1 Chronicles 2:14 Nethanel the fourth,
Raddai the fifth, (WEB JPS ASV BBE NAS NIV). 1 Chronicles ...
/n/nethanel.htm - 12k

Racks (1 Occurrence)

/r/racks.htm - 6k

Fifth (65 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). 1 Chronicles 2:14 Nethanel the fourth,
Raddai the fifth, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/f/fifth.htm - 28k

Fourth (87 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). 1 Chronicles 2:14 Nethanel the fourth,
Raddai the fifth, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/f/fourth.htm - 43k

Resources
How many brothers did King David have? | GotQuestions.org

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