Hadad(hadar)
“Sharp, mighty, or according to some, to break forth into shouts”
Summary
Hadad was a name borne by several Edomite kings and also by a prince who fled to Egypt during David's conquest, later becoming an adversary of Solomon. The name was also used as a title for Syrian deities and kings.
☩Edomite Kings Named Hadad
The name Hadad was borne by multiple Edomite kings. The first notable Hadad was the son of Bedad who established his court at Avith and defeated the Midianites in the intervening territory of Moab—the only one of the ancient kings of Edom whose exploits Moses recorded. Another king Hadad was the successor of Baal-hanan, who established his palace at Pau; he is called Hadar in Genesis 36:39. Since the list of Edomitish kings closes with him, he may have lived around the time of the Exodus and could be the king of Edom who refused passage to the Israelites.
☩The Syrian Deity Hadad
Hadad was the indigenous name of the chief deity of the Syrians, identified with the sun according to ancient writers. The name appears as an element in the names of Syrian kings such as Benhadad ('worshipper of Hadad') and Hadadezer ('assisted by Hadad'). The title appears to have been official, like Pharaoh, transferred from the divine title to the king as the highest earthly authority.
☩Hadad the Adversary of Solomon
A young prince of the royal house of Edom named Hadad escaped during David's conquest when Joab massacred the Edomite males. He fled with servants first to Midian, then to Paran, and eventually to Egypt. Pharaoh received him favorably, assigning him an estate and giving him his wife Tahpenes' sister in marriage, who bore him Genubath, raised in the palace with Pharaoh's sons. After the deaths of David and Joab, Hadad returned to his country despite Pharaoh's entreaties. Scripture mentions him as one of the troublers of Solomon's reign, which God raised up due to Solomon's unfaithfulness.
☩Sons of Ishmael and Others
A son of Ishmael bore the name Hadad (spelled Hadar in Genesis 25:15), whose descendants probably occupied the western coast of the Persian Gulf. Additionally, a king of Syria named Hadad reigned in Damascus at the time David attacked Hadadezer king of Zobah, marching to assist him but sharing in his defeat.
Related Verses40 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Hadad," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Hadad," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.George Morrish, "Hadad," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Hadad," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).