Original Word: עֲדִי
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: `adiy
Pronunciation: ah-DEE
Phonetic Spelling: (ad-ee')
KJV: X excellent, mouth, ornament
NASB: ornaments, fine ornaments, jewels, trappings, years
Word Origin: [from H5710 (עָדָה - To pass on) in the sense of trappings]

1. finery
2. (generally) an outfit
3. (specifically) a headstall

excellent, mouth, ornament

From adah in the sense of trappings; finery; generally an outfit; specifically, a headstall -- X excellent, mouth, ornament.

see HEBREW adah

Word Origin
from adah
Definition
ornaments
NASB Translation
fine ornaments (1), jewels (1), ornaments (9), trappings (1), years (1).

עֲדִי noun [masculine] collective ornaments (with which one is decked); — ׳ע absolute Isaiah 49:18, עֶ֑די Ezekiel 16:11; Ezekiel 23:40; construct 2 Samuel 1:24 +; suffix עֶדְיוֺ Exodus 33:4 +, עֶדְיְךָ Exodus 33:5, etc.; — ornaments:

1 of women 2 Samuel 1:24 (זָהָב ׳ע), Jeremiah 2:32; of Jerusalem under figure of woman Jeremiah 4:30 (זָהָב ׳ע), Ezekiel 16:11; Ezekiel 23:40 (all accusative of congnate meaning with verb c עָדָה), Isaiah 49:18 (simile). — עֲדִי עֲדָיִים Ezekiel 16:7, read probably עַד עִדִּים unto menstruation (maturity), JDMich Co Berthol (reading ׳בְּעֵת עִדּ), Toy. עֶדְיֵךְ Psalm 103:5 [suffix reference to נַפְשִׁי] is dubious, ᵐ5 τ. ἐπιθυμίαν σου [rdg. אַוָּתֵךְ ? this usually with נֶפֶשׁ]; thine age, prime (compare

I. עַד) JDMich; Thes; conjectures in Hup-Now Che Du.

2 of men Exodus 33:4,5,6 (JE)

3 in General, as feeding pride Ezekiel 7:20 (צְבִי עֶדְיוֺ, suffix reference to silver and gold, Ezekiel 7:19)

4 trappings of horse Psalm 32:9 (De Hup, compare Du), si versa l., but prob, corrupt; Che (after see Ortenb.) לִבְלּ֑ם עַד יוּבַל אֵלֶיךָ must be curbed till he can be brought, etc.

Overview

The Hebrew term עֲדִי (ʿădî, Strong’s 5716) denotes personal ornaments or jewelry—items worn for beauty, status, or ceremonial significance. Scripture presents such adornments as tangible expressions of rejoicing, wealth, covenant favor, and, at times, spiritual unfaithfulness. Occurring thirteen times, the word spans the Pentateuch, Historical Books, Wisdom Literature, Prophets, and thus provides a panoramic view of Israel’s experience with outward splendor and its deeper theological implications.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, precious ornaments of gold, silver, and precious stones signified prosperity and divine blessing. For Israel, ornaments could be heirlooms from Egypt (Exodus 3:22), bridal gifts (Isaiah 49:18), or royal insignia (2 Samuel 1:24). Their social value made them natural symbols in prophetic preaching: what is most prized becomes a barometer of the heart’s loyalties.

Key Scriptural Themes

1. Removal in Repentance and Judgment (Exodus 33:4–6)

Following the golden calf, the LORD commands Israel to strip off their ornaments:
• “When the people heard these bad tidings, they went into mourning, and no one put on any ornaments.” (Exodus 33:4)

The discarded jewelry becomes a sign of contrition. Israel learns that external beauty is meaningless without covenant faithfulness.

2. Royal and Festive Beauty (2 Samuel 1:24; Isaiah 49:18)

David’s lament recalls Saul clothing Israelite women “in scarlet and luxury, who put gold ornaments on your apparel.” (2 Samuel 1:24). Isaiah envisions Zion’s children as jewels adorning a bride: “As surely as I live … you will wear them all as jewelry and put them on like a bride.” (Isaiah 49:18). Here עֲדִי points to legitimate joy and honor bestowed by God.

3. Figurative Renewal and Vitality (Psalm 103:5)

“He satisfies you with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103:5). The verb “satisfies” ties back to ornamental richness; life overflowing with God’s benefits is likened to a soul adorned with fresh jewels.

4. Misdirected Trust and Seduction (Jeremiah 2:32; 4:30; Ezekiel 16; Ezekiel 23:40)

“Can a maiden forget her jewelry, or a bride her attire? Yet My people have forgotten Me days without number.” (Jeremiah 2:32). Jewelry, naturally unforgettable to a bride, exposes the absurdity of Israel’s spiritual amnesia. Ezekiel intensifies the metaphor, showing Jerusalem lavished with adornments from God, only to turn them into instruments of idolatry (Ezekiel 16:11). Thus עֲדִי can portray both privilege and perversion.

5. Consequences of Idolatrous Splendor (Ezekiel 7:20)

“They transformed the beauty of His ornaments into pride, and made from them their detestable images.” (Ezekiel 7:20). What God intended as a sign of His glory becomes material for idols, precipitating judgment.

Theological Significance

• God Grants Beauty: Ornaments are gifts bestowed by divine grace, reflecting His generosity toward His covenant people.
• Beauty Requires Holiness: Physical splendor divorced from obedience invites discipline; holiness crowns beauty with permanence.
• Spiritual Adornment: New-covenant realities shift the focus from gold to character: “the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit” (1 Peter 3:4). The outward serves as a metaphor for inward glory.

Ministry Applications

1. Discipleship and Stewardship – Believers guard their hearts against turning God’s blessings into idols.
2. Counseling and Modesty – In teaching on adornment, one balances appreciation for beauty with calls to humility.
3. Worship Renewal – Corporate repentance may involve relinquishing good things that have become ultimate things.
4. Mission and Hope – The imagery of the adorned bride points forward to the Church’s future: “The holy city … prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Revelation 21:2).

Christological and Eschatological Trajectory

Christ, the Bridegroom, clothes His people with “garments of salvation” and “robes of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10), the ultimate fulfillment of עֲדִי. At the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, redeemed humanity will possess everlasting adornment, purified by grace and secured by the righteousness of Christ.

Related Terms and Broader Canonical Connections

עֲדִי intertwines with words for crown (עֲטָרָה), glory (כָּבוֹד), and garments (בֶּגֶד). Together they form a biblical tapestry in which outward beauty consistently serves as a mirror and messenger of the heart’s allegiance to the LORD.

כָּעֲדִ֣י כעדי עֲדִ֣י עֲדִי־ עֲדָיִ֑ים עֶ֑דִי עֶֽדִי׃ עֶדְי֖וֹ עֶדְי֣וֹ עֶדְיְךָ֙ עֶדְיֵ֑ךְ עֶדְיָ֔הּ עֶדְיָ֖ם עֶדְיוֹ֙ עדי עדי־ עדי׃ עדיה עדיו עדיים עדיך עדים ‘ă·ḏā·yîm ‘ă·ḏî ‘ă·ḏî- ‘ăḏāyîm ‘ăḏî ‘ăḏî- ‘e·ḏî ‘eḏ·yāh ‘eḏ·yām ‘eḏ·yə·ḵā ‘eḏ·yêḵ ‘eḏ·yōw ‘eḏî ‘eḏyāh ‘eḏyām ‘eḏyêḵ ‘eḏyəḵā ‘eḏyōw adaYim aDi Edi edYah edYam edYech edyeCha edYo kā‘ăḏî kā·‘ă·ḏî kaaDiInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts