Hadad (Son of Bedad)

Biblical Record

Hadad appears in the list of the kings of Edom in Genesis 36 and in the parallel list in 1 Chronicles 1. Genesis 36:31 introduces the list as "the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Israel." Edom was the nation descended from Esau.

According to Genesis 36:35 and 1 Chronicles 1:46, Hadad was the son of Bedad. He became king in place of Husham after Husham's death, and his royal city (the city where the king resided) was named Avith. The text describes him as the one "who smote Midian in the field of Moab." After Hadad died, Samlah of Masrekah succeeded him (Genesis 36:36; 1 Chronicles 1:47). This is all that Scripture records about him.

Significance Within the Bible

The list of Edomite kings generally records only each king's name, his father, and his city of origin. Hadad stands out in the list because his entry adds an accomplishment: his defeat of Midian. The text does not say when or under what circumstances this battle took place.

The kings in the list generally have different fathers and come from different cities. For this reason, some scholars suggest that the Edomite throne at that time was not passed down within a single family. The New Testament does not mention Hadad.

Interpretations and Debates

• Other individuals with the same name: Several people named Hadad appear in the Bible. Hadad the son of Ishmael (Genesis 25:15), Hadad the last king in the Edomite king list (1 Chronicles 1:50; called "Hadar" in Genesis 36:39), and Hadad the Edomite who became an adversary of Solomon (1 Kings 11:14) are all different people from the subject of this article. The Hadad of 1 Kings 11 is described as being "of the king's seed," but the text does not state how he was related to Hadad the son of Bedad.
• Meaning of the name: Because "Hadad" is identical to the name of a storm god worshiped in ancient Syria and Canaan, it is often understood as a theophoric name derived from that deity. This god is sometimes identified with Baal.
• Date of the list: Interpretations differ over the phrase "before there reigned any king over the children of Israel" in Genesis 36:31. Those who hold the traditional view of Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch read it as a prophetic statement or as an explanatory note added later. Other scholars regard the verse as evidence that the list was written after the establishment of the Israelite monarchy.

In the Korean Church

Few instances are known of Hadad being treated as a separate subject of sermons or church school lessons in the Korean church. Korean Christians usually encounter him while reading the genealogy of Esau and the list of Edomite kings during reading through the Bible.