Abdiel
Man in the genealogy of the tribe of Gad
Abdiel appears in the genealogy of Gad's tribe in Chronicles, where he is identified as the son of Guni and father of Ahi – the latter mentioned as head of his clan. The family belonged to the Transjordanian region of Gilead in Bashan, an area known for its fertile pastures and strategic location. The name Abdiel carries the meaning 'servant of God' and reflects a widespread Israelite tradition of theophoric personal names expressing devotion to the God of Israel. The recording of this genealogy is linked to the reigns of Jotham of Judah and Jeroboam II of Israel, an overlapping period around the mid-700s BC characterized by relative prosperity. Abdiel's presence in the text – though brief – underscores the importance that Israelite authors placed on preserving every link in the tribes' collective identity and history.
Famille
Événements clés
Mentioned in the genealogy of Gad
Abdiel is listed as the son of Guni in the genealogy of the tribe of Gad. His son Ahi held the position of head of his clan, and the family lived in Gilead, in Bashan and its surrounding towns.
Settlements of the tribe of Gad in Gilead
Abdiel's clan and the other descendants of Gad settled in Gilead in Bashan and in the pastures of Sharon as far as they extended—an area known for its fertility and importance to the tribe.
Genealogical record during Jotham and Jeroboam
The genealogy that includes Abdiel was recorded during the reigns of Jotham, king of Judah, and Jeroboam II, king of Israel, placing the record in a period of relative prosperity around the middle of the 8th century BC.