Etymology and Location:
Adoraim, also known as Adora, is a town mentioned in the Old Testament. The name "Adoraim" is believed to derive from a root meaning "noble" or "exalted." It is located in the hill country of Judah, southwest of Hebron. The modern identification of Adoraim is often associated with the site of Dura, a village near Hebron.

Biblical References:
Adoraim is specifically mentioned in the context of King Rehoboam's reign. In 2 Chronicles 11:9, it is listed among the cities that Rehoboam fortified: "Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah." This fortification effort was part of Rehoboam's strategy to strengthen the defenses of Judah after the kingdom split following the reign of his father, Solomon.

Historical and Archaeological Significance:
The fortification of Adoraim by Rehoboam indicates its strategic importance in the defense network of Judah. The town's location in the hill country would have provided a natural advantage for defense against invasions, particularly from the west. Archaeological evidence from the region, including remains of ancient fortifications, supports the biblical account of Rehoboam's building activities.

Cultural and Theological Insights:
Adoraim's mention in the context of Rehoboam's reign highlights the political and military challenges faced by the divided kingdom of Israel and Judah. The fortification of cities like Adoraim reflects the ongoing threat from neighboring nations and the need for strong leadership and defense strategies. This period in Israel's history underscores the consequences of disobedience to God's covenant, as the division of the kingdom was a direct result of Solomon's idolatry and the people's turning away from God.

Related Biblical Themes:
The account of Adoraim and the fortified cities of Judah ties into broader biblical themes of divine protection, judgment, and the importance of faithfulness to God's commands. The fortified cities symbolize human efforts to secure safety and stability, yet the biblical narrative consistently points to reliance on God as the ultimate source of security. The account of Rehoboam and the fortified cities serves as a reminder of the need for spiritual fortification through obedience and trust in God.

Cross-References:
· 1 Kings 12:1-24: The division of the kingdom under Rehoboam.
· 2 Chronicles 11:5-12: The account of Rehoboam's fortification efforts.
· Psalm 127:1: "Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain; unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain."

Adoraim, though briefly mentioned, plays a role in the larger narrative of Israel's history, illustrating the interplay between human initiative and divine sovereignty.Adoraim

strength of the sea

Adoraim

(double mound), a fortified city built by Rehoboam, (2 Chronicles 11:9) in Judah. Adoraim is probably the same place with Adora, 1Ma 13:20 Unless that be Dor, on the seacoast below Carmel. Robinson identifies it with Dura , a "large village" on a rising ground west of Hebron.

Adoraim

A town in the south of Judah, fortified by Rehoboam, 2 Chronicles 11:9. Robinson has identified it with the modern Dura, a large village five miles west by south from Hebron.

ADORAIM

ad-o-ra'-im ('adhorayim, "a pair of knolls," perhaps): One of several cities in Judah that were fortified by Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 11:9). The name appears in Josephus and in 1 Maccabees as Adora or Dora or Dor. Its location is indicated in general by that of the other cities which the record in Chronicles groups with it. Common consent identifies it with Dura, about five miles West by South of Hebron.

115. Adorayim -- perhaps "two hills," a city in Judah
... 114, 115. Adorayim. 116 . perhaps "two hills," a city in Judah. Transliteration:
Adorayim Phonetic Spelling: (ad-o-rah'-yim) Short Definition: Adoraim. ... Adoraim ...
/hebrew/115.htm - 6k

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... 11:6-10, where we find a list of the towns fortified by Rehoboam: Bethlehem, Etam,
Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam, Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Adoraim (1 Occurrence)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia ADORAIM. ...Adoraim (1 Occurrence). 2 Chronicles 11:9 and
Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/a/adoraim.htm - 7k

Adora'im (1 Occurrence)
Adora'im. Adoraim, Adora'im. Adoram . Multi-Version Concordance Adora'im (1
Occurrence). 2 Chronicles 11:9 and Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah, (See RSV). ...
/a/adora'im.htm - 6k

Aze'kah (6 Occurrences)
... Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. (See RSV). 2 Chronicles 11:9 and Adoraim, and Lachish,
and Azekah, (See RSV). Nehemiah 11:30 Zanoah, Adullam ...
/a/aze'kah.htm - 7k

Azekah (7 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). 2 Chronicles 11:9 and Adoraim, and
Lachish, and Azekah, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/a/azekah.htm - 11k

Adora
... Idumaea, mentioned in Ant, XIII, ix, 1 as one of the cities captured by Hyrcanus,
and referred to in 1 Maccabees 13:20. See ADORAIM. ...
/a/adora.htm - 6k

Lachish (22 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). 2 Chronicles 11:9 and Adoraim, and
Lachish, and Azekah, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/l/lachish.htm - 22k

Territory (140 Occurrences)
... On the East were Bethlehem, Etam and Tekoa; and on the West and Southwest were
Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam, Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah, Zorah ...
/t/territory.htm - 56k

Ador
... Idumaea, mentioned in Ant, XIII, ix, 1 as one of the cities captured by Hyrcanus,
and referred to in 1 Maccabees 13:20. See ADORAIM. ...
/a/ador.htm - 6k

Judah (802 Occurrences)
... On the East were Bethlehem, Etam and Tekoa; and on the West and Southwest were
Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam, Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah, Zorah ...
/j/judah.htm - 101k

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