אֲדֹנִירָם
𐤀𐤃𐤍𐤉𐤓𐤌
Adoniram
H141 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Personal name: Adoniram. Literally, 'my lord is exalted' or 'the lord is exalted,' depending on the precise analysis of the suffix. Used as a proper name for an official in the Israelite monarchy. The name is composed of two elements: 'adoni' (my lord) and 'ram' (exalted, high). It is not a common noun but a theophoric or honorific personal name, signifying reverence and elevation, most likely directed toward a deity or an esteemed personage.
Semantic Range
personal name, my lord is exalted, the lord is exalted; used as the name of a royal official in monarchic Israel; not used as a common noun
Root / Etymology
From the roots אָדוֹן (adon, 'lord, master') and רוּם (rum, 'to be high, exalted'). The name is a compound of 'adon(i)' and 'ram,' forming a personal name denoting status or honor. The final -am may reflect the masculine singular suffix or a contracted theophoric element, but primarily preserves the sense of 'my lord is exalted.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
Adoniram appears in the Hebrew Bible as an official during the reigns of David, Solomon, and Rehoboam (e.g., 1 Kings 4:6; 5:14; 12:18), where he is noted as being over forced labor. The name is characteristic of the Israelite tradition of constructing theophoric or honorific names that reflect devotion or status. 'Adoni' can reference a human lord, but often connotes reverence toward a divine figure, which, in Israelite onomastics, would refer to YHWH without using the divine name directly. Later English translations may obscure the original personal and linguistic significance by rendering it simply as 'Adoniram' without explanation. The name is not used as a common noun; its usage is confined to the personal name. 'Lord of height' is a literal transliteration but is best understood as 'my lord is exalted.' Use of this name is primarily attested in monarchic period sources.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from אָדוֹן and רוּם; lord of height; Adoniram, an Israelite; Adoniram.
Bantu Hebrew
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+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אדן, רום (ʾ-d-n; r-w-m) — to rule, be master; to be high, exalted
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H141-01 |
וַ/אֲדֹנִירָ֥ם | vaadoniram | HC/Np |
and Adoniram | Adoniram | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H141-01 |
1 Kings 4:6 | וַ/אֲדֹנִירָ֥ם | vaadoniram | HC/Np |
and Adoniram | Adoniram |
H141-01 |
1 Kings 5:28 | וַ/אֲדֹנִירָ֖ם | vaadoniram | HC/Np |
and Adoniram | Adoniram |