The name Abdiel (Hebrew: עַבְדִּיאֵל, `Avdi’el) carries the profound meaning, “Servant of God” or “Worshipper of God.” This significant name is recorded only once in the canonical Scriptures, placing a spotlight on a figure whose importance is defined solely by his position within a genealogical record of tribal leadership.
Abdiel of the Tribe of Gad
The one reference to Abdiel identifies him as an ancestor within the tribe of Gad, one of the tribes that settled on the eastern side of the Jordan River.
- Tribal Affiliation: He was a descendant of the tribe of Gad. The Gadites were known as mighty men of valour, who occupied the fertile lands of Gilead and Bashan.
- Family Connection: Abdiel is listed as the son of Guni and the father of Ahi, who himself was designated as a “chief of the house of their fathers.” His place in this lineage marks him as a progenitor in a line of tribal leadership and distinction.
- Time Period: The genealogical records that mention Abdiel were compiled and officially chronicled during the reigns of Jotham, king of Judah, and Jeroboam, king of Israel, which places his family line’s importance during the eighth century B.C.
- Scripture Reference (KJV):“Ahi the son of Abdiel, the son of Guni, chief of the house of their fathers.” (1 Chronicles 5:15)
The Significance of the Name
Though the Bible provides no further narrative details of Abdiel’s life, the simple fact of his inclusion in the tribal rolls emphasizes his status as a legitimate patriarch in Israel. Furthermore, his name itself, “Servant of God,” stands as a concise declaration of the ideal for every covenant member.
The detailed, though brief, record of his lineage is essential within the context of The Lord’s Return, as the genealogies preserve the identity of the Twelve Tribes, which are critical to the prophetic future of Israel. The documentation of the Gadites, including Abdiel’s line, highlights that God has an enduring knowledge and record of all His people, a principle that ties directly into the certainty of the final gathering of Israel.