Adonikam was the ancestor of a large family or clan that returned to Jerusalem from the Babylonian captivity. His name, which likely means “My lord is risen,” reflects the hopeful expectation of restoration that characterized the period of the Jewish exiles’ return.
Adonikam himself is not described in detail; rather, he is known through the count and actions of his descendants who participated in the re-establishment of the community in Judah following the decree of King Cyrus.
The Descendants of Adonikam
The family of Adonikam is primarily noted in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, which list the groups of people who returned from Babylon to their ancestral homes. The prominence of Adonikam’s name in these lists underscores the importance of family lineage in reconstituting the nation and ensuring tribal claims in the restored land.
The First Return with Zerubbabel
The first significant mention of Adonikam’s lineage occurs in the roster of those who returned with Zerubbabel and Jeshua following the initial decree to return:
“The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six.” (Ezra 2:13, KJV)
A slight variation in the census is found in the parallel list in Nehemiah, a common feature in ancient records:
“The children of Adonikam, six hundred threescore and seven.” (Nehemiah 7:18, KJV)
This sizable number—either 666 or 667—indicates that the family of Adonikam was one of the larger clans among the returning exiles, contributing a significant portion to the overall assembly that returned to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple.
A Subsequent Return with Ezra
Later, a second group of Adonikam’s descendants joined the company that returned with the scribe Ezra to Jerusalem, demonstrating an ongoing commitment from this family to the restoration project:
“And of the last sons of Adonikam, whose names are these, Eliphelet, Jeiel, and Shemaiah, and with them threescore males.” (Ezra 8:13, KJV)
This reference, mentioning later family members, shows that not all of Adonikam’s clan returned at once, but rather in waves, indicating a sustained effort by his descendants to fully participate in the repatriation and renewal of the Jewish community.
The Prophetic Hotspot
The listing of Adonikam’s descendants is a powerful demonstration of God’s covenantal faithfulness. The names themselves, recorded meticulously, bear witness that even after the severe judgment of the Babylonian exile, the Lord remembered His promises and orchestrated a return of His people, fulfilling the words of the prophets. The return was not a random migration, but a fulfillment of the Lord’s will to restore the sanctuary and the nation in preparation for The Return Question—the coming of the Messiah. The preservation of these family lines was crucial to maintaining the lineage leading to Christ.