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אֲדַמְדָּם

𐤀𐤃𐤌𐤃𐤌

ʼădamdâm

H125 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root אדם to be red, to show blood (in the face), to have a ruddy complexion

Definition

A physical descriptor meaning 'reddish' or 'of a red or ruddy hue'; used to describe something possessing a notable though not intensely deep red coloration, typically pertaining to a human appearance (e.g., complexion, skin) or to blood.

Semantic Range

reddish of complexion, somewhat red, ruddy-colored (especially of human appearance), flushed, of a healthy or notable red hue

Root / Etymology

Root is אָדַם (דם), meaning 'to be red/to show blood (in the face)'. The form אֲדַמְדָּם is a reduplicated intensive/or frequentative of the root verb, formed to emphasize the red or ruddy color. Reduplication in Hebrew can indicate a certain intensity or a repetitive quality in descriptive adjectives.

Historical & Contextual Notes

This adjective appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible, notably in describing the appearance of individuals—often translated as 'ruddy' or 'somewhat reddish.' Its meaning stands between 'red' (אָדוֹם) and 'flushed' or 'rosy,' highlighting a somewhat pronounced but not overwhelming redness of the skin. This term is distinct from אָדוֹם, which is a more general or intense red, and does not imply the same degree of hue or evenness. Most English translations use 'ruddy,' but this may not fully capture the subtlety and gradation implied in the Hebrew. Used in Ancient Israelite context primarily to describe youth or vigor, and its contextual nuances could imply healthiness or attractiveness according to ancient ideals. The word does not acquire added symbolic or ritual meaning beyond physical appearance in biblical usage. No significant semantic shift is noted between pre-exilic and later periods, given its rarity.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

reduplicated from אָדַם; reddish; (somewhat) reddish.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אדם (ʾ-d-m) — to be red, to show blood, to have a ruddy complexion

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1157 בְּעַד in the human being
H119 אָדַם they became red
H120 אָדָם human being
H121 אָדָם Adam
H122 אָדֹם reddish

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H125-04 אֲדַמְדֶּ֖מֶת adamedemet HAafsa reddish ruddy-red 2
H125-01 אֲדַמְדָּ֑ם adamedam HAamsa reddish ruddy-red 2
H125-03 אֲדַמְדַּמֹּ֑ת adamedamot HAafpa reddish ruddy-hued 1
H125-02 אֲדַמְדָּ֑מֶת adamedamet HAafsa reddish ruddy-red 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H125-02 Leviticus 13:19 אֲדַמְדָּ֑מֶת adamedamet HAafsa reddish ruddy-red
H125-04 Leviticus 13:24 אֲדַמְדֶּ֖מֶת adamedemet HAafsa reddish ruddy-red
H125-01 Leviticus 13:42 אֲדַמְדָּ֑ם adamedam HAamsa reddish ruddy-red
H125-04 Leviticus 13:43 אֲדַמְדֶּ֔מֶת adamedemet HAafsa reddish ruddy-red
H125-01 Leviticus 13:49 אֲדַמְדָּ֗ם adamedam HAamsa reddish ruddy-red
H125-03 Leviticus 14:37 אֲדַמְדַּמֹּ֑ת adamedamot HAafpa reddish ruddy-hued
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