Interesting Facts

• Hadad was the son of Bedad, who smote Midian in the field of Moab.
• The name of Hadad’s city was Avith.
• Another account identifies him as ‘Adath, the son of Barad, who slew Midian in the field of Moab, and the name of his city was Avith.
• According to the Book of Jasher, Hadad reigned in Edom for thirty-five years after Chusham.
• In the fiftieth year of his reign according to Jasher, Hadad assembled a large army and went to war with Moab, aiming to make them tributary.

Genealogy

• According to Genesis and Jasher, Hadad was the son of Bedad.
• The Book of Jubilees states that ‘Adath was the son of Barad.
• Both Hadad and ‘Adath are identified as the ones who smote Midian in the field of Moab and whose city was named Avith. This suggests they are likely the same individual referred to by different names or with variations in their father’s name across different textual traditions.
• The sources do not provide any information regarding his mother, siblings, marital connections beyond the name of a later Edomite king Hadar’s wife, or offspring.

Historical Context

The reign of Hadad the son of Bedad (or ‘Adath the son of Barad) occurs within the timeframe when kings ruled in Edom before any king reigned over the children of Israel. This places his rule in a period of distinct political organization for the Edomites. A significant event during his time was the conflict with Midian in the field of Moab, which established his reputation as a military leader. According to the Book of Jasher, later in his reign, specifically in his fiftieth year (though another reckoning places his war with Moab in his third year as king), Hadad engaged in a major campaign against Moab, seeking to subjugate them and extract tribute. This led to further conflict as the Moabites sought assistance from Midian, resulting in a major battle where Hadad defeated both. Subsequently, a remnant of Midian, joined by other eastern tribes, attempted to avenge their losses, leading to another decisive victory for Hadad, who delivered Moab from Midianite aggression. These narratives indicate a period of ongoing intertribal warfare and power struggles in the regions of Edom, Moab, and Midian, with Hadad playing a central role in these conflicts and establishing Edomite dominance over Moab for a time.

Narrative

The narrative of Hadad/’Adath centers on his military prowess and his interactions with neighboring nations. He ascends to the throne of Edom after the death of Husham/Chusham/’Asam. His initial claim to fame is his victory over Midian in the field of Moab. The Book of Jasher provides a more detailed account of his reign, highlighting his ambition to make Moab tributary to Edom, leading to a significant war. In this conflict, Hadad demonstrates strategic leadership, not only defeating the initial Moabite and Midianite forces but also overcoming a subsequent retaliatory effort by a coalition of Midianites and other eastern tribes. These victories showcase Hadad’s military strength and effectively establish Edom’s influence in the region, particularly over Moab. The narrative emphasizes the cyclical nature of conflict and the importance of military might in maintaining regional power during this period. Hadad’s reign, as described in Jasher, lasts for thirty-five years, marked by significant military campaigns that shaped the political landscape surrounding Edom. His story concludes with his death, after which Samlah/Salman of Masrekah/’Amaseqa ascends the throne.