Abednego
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Abednego in the Bible?
Abednego was the Babylonian name given to Azariah, a companion of Daniel during the Judean exile. The name translates to 'servant of Nebo,' referring to the Babylonian deity of wisdom and writing.
SIGNIFICANCE
The renaming of Azariah illustrates the cultural assimilation policies of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. It highlights the tension between maintaining ethnic identity and surviving under foreign hegemony in the Book of Daniel.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Abednego reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Abednego in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Abednego clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Abednego." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/abednego/