"Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Adonijah Meaning in the Bible
Adonijah
boy
Adonijah means "My lord is Yahweh", a boy's name of Hebrew origin. Adonijah appears in the King James Bible, and 1 Kings 1:5 is the passage most often tied to it. Adonijah's name — 'my lord is Yahweh' — contradicted his self-exalting actions. His story warns that claiming God as Lord while pursuing our own agenda is a dangerous contradiction. True lordship requires genuine submission.
Is Adonijah in the Bible?
Yes — Adonijah appears in the King James Bible, including 1 Kings 1:5.
Pronunciation:/ad-oh-NY-juh/
OriginHebrew
MeaningMy lord is Yahweh
What does Adonijah mean?
Adonijah is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "My lord is Yahweh". Adonijah means "my lord is Yahweh" in Hebrew. He was David's fourth son who attempted to seize the throne as David lay dying, declaring himself king without his father's approval.
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What does Adonijah mean in the Bible?
Adonijah means "My lord is Yahweh" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Adonijah means "my lord is Yahweh" in Hebrew. He was David's fourth son who attempted to seize the throne as David lay dying, declaring himself king without his father's approval. Like Absalom before him, Adonijah was described as very handsome, and David had never disciplined him.
Adonijah hosted a coronation feast, inviting supporters including Joab and the priest Abiathar, but notably excluding Solomon, Nathan, and Bathsheba. When Nathan and Bathsheba informed David, the aging king immediately had Solomon anointed as king at the Gihon spring.
Adonijah's attempted coup failed, and he was initially pardoned. But when he later requested Abishag — David's nurse — as his wife, Solomon recognized it as a veiled claim to the throne and had him executed. His story illustrates the deadly consequences of ambition divorced from divine appointment.
Where does Adonijah appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Adonijah is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with 1 Kings 1:5. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so?"
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What are the variants and nicknames of Adonijah?
Adonijah has 1 recorded variant, short form, and translation across languages and biblical traditions.
Variants & related forms
Which books of the Bible mention Adonijah?
Adonijah is mentioned across 2 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Adonijah?
Adonijah's name — 'my lord is Yahweh' — contradicted his self-exalting actions. His story warns that claiming God as Lord while pursuing our own agenda is a dangerous contradiction. True lordship requires genuine submission.
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What names are related to Adonijah?
Names like Adonijah
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "My lord is Yahweh" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Adonijah
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Elizabeth
girl
"God is my oath"
Adonijah & Elizabeth
Seraphina
girl
"Burning one; Fiery angel"
Adonijah & Seraphina
Abigail
girl
"Father of joy"
Adonijah & Abigail
Abihail
unisex
"Father of might"
Adonijah & Abihail
Abilene
girl
"Meadow; Grassy place"
Adonijah & Abilene
Abilene
girl
"Meadow; Land of grass; Green pasture"
Adonijah & Abilene
Share the meaning of Adonijah
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Adonijah name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Adonijah appears in the King James Bible, including 1 Kings 1:5.
Adonijah means "My lord is Yahweh." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in 1 Kings 1:5, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Adonijah comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "My lord is Yahweh." It appears in the King James Bible, including 1 Kings 1:5.
Common questions about the name Adonijah
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Adonijah?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Adonijah?
You can read every verse where Adonijah appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.