Hadad
Culture & Societyâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
Hadad was the principal storm god of the ancient Syro-Hittite pantheon, associated with rain, thunder, and fertility, and is also identified in biblical genealogies as a son of Ishmael and a king of Edom.
What is the meaning of Hadad in the Bible?
Hadad was the principal storm god of the ancient Syro-Hittite pantheon, associated with rain, thunder, and fertility, and is also identified in biblical genealogies as a son of Ishmael and a king of Edom.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Hadad clarifies the religious context of biblical narratives by revealing the specific Canaanite and Aramean deities that Israelite authors often polemicized against or reinterpreted as manifestations of Yahweh's power over nature.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Hadad in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Hadad clarify?
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Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.