Original Word: הֲדַד
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Hadad
Pronunciation: hah-DAD
Phonetic Spelling: (had-ad')
KJV: Hadad
NASB: Hadad
Word Origin: [probably of foreign origin]

1. Hadad, the name of an idol, and of several kings of Edom

Hadad

Probably of foreign origin (compare 'Adad); Hadad, the name of an idol, and of several kings of Edom -- Hadad.

see HEBREW 'Adad

Word Origin
from the same as hedad
Definition
three Edomites
NASB Translation
Hadad (13).

הֲדַד proper name, masculine Hadad (ᵐ5 Ἀδερ but see הדד Aramaic proper name, of divinity DHM^{Altsem. Inschr. von Sendschirli 56, and n.pr} עבדהדד Scholz^{Götzendienst 245,} הדדנדנאח Eut^{SBAk 1887, 410} compare Bae^{Rel 68} & below בןהֿדד p.122; also Adda, etc., in compound proper name Bez^{Tell el-Amarna BM 156}; Hadad, Adad, Addu is known as an Aramaic deity, weather- or storm-god, compare Bae^{Rei 67.68}; perhaps = thunderer Dl^{ZK 1885, 166} Bae^l.c., compare רִמּוֺן; on Hadad in Arabia compare We^{Skizzen iii. 51}; Sabean הדד Hal²⁷; as

proper name, of a divinity Hebrew only in compound

proper name, masculine, see below) —

1 name of kings of Edom,

a. Genesis 36:35 = 1 Chronicles 1:46; Genesis 36:36 = 1 Chronicles 1:47 (הֲדָד֑);

b. 1 Chronicles 1:47 ("" Genesis 36:39 הֲדַר), Genesis 36:51 (הֲדָד֑).

2 an Edomite (הָאֲדֹמִ֑י) ׳ה 1 Kings 11:14,17,19,21 (twice in verse); 1 Kings 11:25 (הֲדָד֑); = אֲדַד 1 Kings 11:17.

Name and Occurrences

Hadad (Strong’s Hebrew 1908) is mentioned thirteen times in the Old Testament. The references fall into two narrative groupings: (1) the royal line of early Edom as recorded in Genesis 36:35–36 and the parallel genealogy in 1 Chronicles 1:46-47, 50-51; (2) the political upheaval surrounding the reign of Solomon in 1 Kings 11:14-25 (with verse 17 named twice in the Masoretic counting). Both contexts portray Edomite leadership and its sustained hostility toward the covenant people of Israel.

Hadad son of Bedad: Early Edomite King

Genesis 36:35 introduces Hadad son of Bedad, one of the pre-monarchic kings who ruled Edom “before any king reigned over the Israelites” (Genesis 36:31). Scripture singles him out for a notable military exploit: “Hadad son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Avith” (Genesis 36:35). This brief notice places Hadad at a strategic crossroads east of the Dead Sea, revealing that Edom’s earliest rulers were already competing for control of trade routes and grazing lands. His victory over Midian anticipates later conflicts Israel would have with Midian (Numbers 31) and underscores a pattern—Edomite aggression often intersected with the destinies of other regional peoples long before Israel occupied Canaan. When Hadad died, Samlah succeeded him (Genesis 36:36), indicating an orderly, possibly elective, succession among Edom’s tribal chiefs.

Hadad the Edomite: Adversary Raised Against Solomon

Centuries later another Hadad emerges, this time as a direct challenge to the zenith of Israel’s united monarchy. “Then the LORD raised up an adversary against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite, from the royal line of Edom” (1 Kings 11:14). The chronicler details how Joab’s campaign under David had decimated the Edomites, killing Hadad’s kin (1 Kings 11:15-16). As a child, Hadad escaped with retainers to Egypt, where Pharaoh granted him asylum, land, and marriage into the royal house (1 Kings 11:18-20).

Years later, hearing of David’s death and Solomon’s accession, Hadad petitioned Pharaoh, “Send me back to my own country” (1 Kings 11:21). His return to Edom coincided with Solomon’s spiritual decline, when the king’s divided heart toward foreign wives led to idolatry (1 Kings 11:1-8). Thus, Hadad became a rod of discipline in the Lord’s hand, fulfilling the prophetic word: “So the LORD said to Solomon, ‘Since this is your attitude... I will surely tear the kingdom away from you’” (1 Kings 11:11). Hadad’s sustained hostility “troubled Israel” throughout Solomon’s reign (1 Kings 11:25) and foreshadowed the north–south schism that would erupt under Rehoboam.

Divine Sovereignty and Covenant Faithfulness

Both Hadads illustrate how God rules over nations to accomplish His redemptive purposes:

1. In the patriarchal era, the Edomite king’s victory over Midian displayed God’s progressive unfolding of regional history, setting the stage for Israel’s later interactions with both peoples.
2. In Solomon’s era, the Lord “raised up” Hadad (1 Kings 11:14) as a covenant sanction, demonstrating that no earthly power, however prosperous, is exempt from divine discipline when covenant loyalty is compromised.

These accounts affirm the consistency of God’s character—mercifully patient yet unwaveringly just.

Edom’s Enduring Role in Salvation History

Edom emerges throughout the Old Testament as Israel’s near-kin rival: descended from Esau, continually seeking advantage over Jacob’s line. Obadiah, Isaiah 34, Jeremiah 49, and Ezekiel 35 prophesy Edom’s eventual downfall, portraying the nation as a symbol of human pride opposing God’s covenant plan. The Hadad narratives therefore serve as historical anchors for later prophetic oracles, showing that Edom’s animosity was neither incidental nor fleeting but part of a larger moral narrative culminating in the triumph of God’s kingdom.

Lessons for Faith and Ministry

• Spiritual complacency invites divine correction. Solomon’s wisdom could not shield him once his heart drifted; Hadad became an instrument for awakening.
• National power is temporary; God’s covenant purposes are permanent. The early Hadad’s military success and the later Hadad’s political leverage both faded, whereas God’s promise to David endured.
• Personal history never precludes repentance. Hadad’s return to Edom hints at the possibility, though unrealized, that former enemies could seek reconciliation with God’s people (compare Ruth the Moabitess).
• Ministry leaders must guard against the subtlety of divided affections. Solomon’s experience warns every generation that private compromise produces public consequences.

Typological and Eschatological Notes

New Testament writers employ Edom-Edomite imagery when depicting ultimate judgment upon the proud (Hebrews 12:16-17 alludes to Esau). By recording Hadad’s hostility, the Old Testament reinforces this trajectory: opposition to God’s kingdom will persist until the final victory of the Son of David. Meanwhile, God’s people, like Solomon chastened by Hadad, are called to renewed obedience and wholehearted devotion.

אֲדַ֡ד אדד הֲדַ֔ד הֲדַ֣ד הֲדַ֥ד הֲדַד֙ הֲדָ֑ד הדד וַהֲדַ֖ד וַהֲדַ֞ד והדד ’ă·ḏaḏ ’ăḏaḏ aDad hă·ḏaḏ hă·ḏāḏ haDad hăḏaḏ hăḏāḏ vahaDad wa·hă·ḏaḏ wahăḏaḏInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts