Adino is a name found in the King James Bible, appearing 1 time in the text.
Who This Was
Adino, also known as Josheb-Basshebeth, was the chief of David’s mighty warriors. He appears in the closing chapters of 2 Samuel, in a passage that records the names and exploits of the men who fought alongside David and helped establish his kingdom. These were not ordinary soldiers but an elite group, and Adino stood at their head as “chief among the captains.”
His single recorded deed is striking in its scale. According to 2 Samuel 23:8, “he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.” This one verse is the whole of what Scripture says about him. He is named once in the King James Bible, and his fame rests entirely on this one act of extraordinary courage and strength in battle.
The setting is the era of David’s reign, when the kingdom was secured through conflict and the loyalty of valiant men. Adino is listed first among the mighty men, which suggests his prominence and reputation among them. He was a Tachmonite by clan and called an Eznite, and he bore two names in the text: Adino and Josheb-Basshebeth. Scripture presents him simply as a warrior of exceptional prowess whose deed was remembered and recorded among the heroes of David.
The Name
The name “Adino” is commonly understood to derive from a Hebrew root meaning “ornament” or “luxuriant,” though some connect it to a word for a spear or sharpening, which would suit a warrior’s name. The meanings proposed are not firmly settled, and the second name given to him, Josheb-Basshebeth, is likewise difficult to render with certainty. Because the etymology of this name is not clearly recoverable, it is best to say so plainly rather than assign a confident meaning. What Scripture preserves is the name itself and the deed attached to it.
A Closing Thought
Adino is remembered for one thing: he stood his ground and fought when the odds were overwhelming. He did not lead an army that day; he lifted his own spear. Most of us will never face eight hundred enemies, but every life holds moments when faithfulness means standing alone and doing the hard thing before us. Adino’s name endures not because he sought fame but because he acted with courage when it was required. May we, in our smaller battles, prove as steady as this mighty man of David.
At a Glance
- Gender: Male
- Testament: Old
- Mentions in the KJV: 1
Where It Appears in Scripture
- 2 Samuel 23:8 — These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.