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Adlai

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A biblical figure named as the father of two of King David’s warriors, appearing in scriptural genealogies with limited narrative elaboration.

Detailed Definition
Adlai is mentioned briefly in 1 Chronicles 27:29 as the father of two of David’s elite soldiers who oversaw royal flocks. Though minor, his mention highlights the administrative structure of David’s kingdom. In poetry, figures like Adlai represent the unsung contributors to great narratives—those whose legacy lives through their children’s deeds in service to a greater cause.
Example
Example in poetry:
In John Milton’s "Paradise Lost," Adlai is not directly mentioned, but tribal leaders like him populate the poem’s historical backdrop; In George Herbert’s "The Church-porch," obscure biblical names like Adlai remind readers of God’s attention to all; In Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s "The Seraphim," Adlai’s mention in 1 Chronicles underscores the dignity of service; In John Keble’s "The Christian Year," Adlai represents the faithful unknown; In Christina Rossetti’s devotional poetry, Adlai’s name evokes the communion of saints; In T.S. Eliot’s "Four Quartets," minor figures like Adlai illustrate the pattern of divine providence.
Additional Notes
Adlai: Mentioned only in 1 Chronicles 2:18 as a descendant of Judah; extremely obscure. In poetry, such names serve as placeholders for the vast, unnamed tapestry of sacred history. Useful in meditative or minimalist verse that contemplates the weight of forgotten names or the humility of genealogical continuity. Pair with other minor figures for rhythmic cadence in liturgical poetry.
Also Known As
Adlai father of Shammah
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