Adna, Son of Pahath-moab
Adna was a returnee from the Babylonian Exile who is recorded in the Book of Ezra as having married a foreign woman and later agreeing to put her away.
Adna, whose name signifies 'pleasure' or 'delight' in Hebrew, was an Israelite who returned to Jerusalem and Judah following the Babylonian Exile. He is specifically identified in the biblical record as being among the descendants of Pahath-moab. His inclusion in the scriptural narrative is brief but historically significant within the context of the restoration of the Jewish community under the leadership of Ezra the scribe.
Adna’s life is documented during the pivotal era of the mid-5th century BC, a time when the returning exiles were attempting to rebuild their national identity and religious purity. He is primarily known for his involvement in the controversial marriage crisis that faced the post-exilic community, wherein many men had taken foreign wives in violation of the Mosaic Law.
Background and Family
Adna is identified as a descendant of Pahath-moab (Ezra 10:30). The family of Pahath-moab was one of the largest and most prominent clans to return from Babylon to Jerusalem. According to the census records in Ezra 2:6, this family group numbered over 2,800 individuals. While Adna's specific parents are not named, his belonging to this lineage suggests he was part of a significant social unit within the tribal structure of the returning exiles.
Major Life Events
The sole event recorded regarding Adna occurs during the ministry of Ezra. Upon Ezra's arrival in Jerusalem in 458 BC, he discovered that the holy race had intermingled with the surrounding pagan nations through marriage. Adna is listed among those who had taken "strange" or foreign wives (Ezra 10:30).
Following Ezra's public prayer and confession, a covenant was made by the assembly to put away these foreign wives and the children born to them to avoid divine wrath and maintain the sanctity of the covenant people. Adna is named in the specific register of men who complied with this difficult decree, appearing alongside seven other kinsmen from the line of Pahath-moab: Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh.
Relationship to Other Biblical Figures
Adna is listed as a contemporary of Ezra the Priest. While the biblical text does not provide details of his personal interactions, he is grouped with his brothers or kinsmen under the headship of Pahath-moab. His actions indicate he was subject to the judicial decisions made by the elders and judges of the restoration period.
Spiritual Significance
Adna represents the tension between the cultural pressures of the surrounding world and the strict requirements of the Torah. His inclusion in the list of those who divorced their foreign wives serves as a historical testament to the drastic measures the post-exilic community took to ensure their survival as a distinct religious entity. Though his individual biography is limited to a single verse, he stands as a symbol of the communal repentance and the painful sacrifices required to restore the spiritual health of Israel after the Exile.
Spiritual Significance
Adna's significance lies in his role within the reform movement of Ezra. His name is preserved in the 'list of the guilty' who subsequently repented, highlighting the individual accountability required during the national restoration. The mention of his name alongside his kinsmen underscores the collective responsibility of the family of Pahath-moab in upholding the Law of Moses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Adna mean?
The name Adna is of Hebrew origin (עַדְנָא) and means 'pleasure' or 'delight'.
Which tribe did Adna belong to?
The Bible does not explicitly state his tribe, but he is identified as a descendant of Pahath-moab, a prominent family that returned from the Babylonian Exile.
What was Adna's role in the Book of Ezra?
Adna was one of the Israelites who had married a foreign woman and was listed among those who agreed to divorce their wives to maintain the religious purity of Israel.
In what time period did Adna live?
Adna lived during the Post-Exilic Period, specifically during the return led by Ezra around 458 BC.
Connected Figures
Ezra
Leader and Priest who oversaw the reforms
Pahath-moab
Ancestor of his family line
Benaiah
Kinsman listed alongside him in Ezra 10:30
Categories
Mentions by Book
- Ezra1
Others Named Adna
Adna, Priest of the Post-Exilic PeriodNehemiah 12:15
Adna was a priest of the house of Harim who served during the generation of the high priest Joiakim following the return from Babylon.