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אֲדֻמִּים

𐤀𐤃𐤌𐤉𐤌

Adumim

H131 noun

SILEX Entry

Root אדם to be red, become red, show redness

Definition

Proper noun referring to 'Adummim,' a geographic location along the road between Jericho and Jerusalem, meaning 'the red places' or 'red spots', likely referencing the reddish-hued rock formations or terrain of the area. The term functions as a place name, not as a general descriptor of color or people.

Semantic Range

name of a place noted for its red rocks or soil; red marker or boundary; site along the Jericho-Jerusalem route

Root / Etymology

From the Hebrew root אדם (ʼ-d-m), meaning 'to be red, ruddy'. The plural participial/adjectival form אֲדֻמִּים (ʼĂdummîm) reflects 'red places/spots,' used as a toponym. The name derives from the reddish coloring of the local landscape. The root word אדם underlies both the color term 'red' and the ethnonym 'Adam' (person, humanity).

Historical & Contextual Notes

Adummim appears in the Hebrew Bible as a landmark on the ascent from Jericho to Jerusalem, e.g., Joshua 15:7 and 18:17, situating it in the tribal territory of Benjamin near the border with Judah. The name distinguishes this particular, visually striking region characterized by its red rock. Unlike אדם ('adam', 'man, human') or the adjective אָדוֹם ('adom', 'red'), אֲדֻמִּים is a proper noun, not used for people's names or as a standard color term. In later translations and tradition, 'Adummim' is sometimes substituted or paraphrased, but this often obscures its original focus as a topographical marker. The pass is also associated with travel narratives, including the later New Testament story of the 'Good Samaritan', reflecting the locale's ongoing significance. Modern identifications place Adummim near the modern road to Jericho, emphasizing the connection to the geographic and geological features referenced by the name. English Bibles render it as 'Adummim,' though some paraphrastic translations obscure the referent's connection to the color term underlying the name.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

plural of אָדָם; red spots; Adummim, a pass in Palestine; Adummim.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אדם (ʾ-d-m) — to be red, become red, show redness

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

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H131-01 אֲדֻמִּ֔ים adumim HNp Adummim Red Places 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H131-01 Joshua 15:7 אֲדֻמִּ֔ים adumim HNp Adummim Red Places
H131-01 Joshua 18:17 אֲדֻמִּ֑ים adumim HNp Adummim Red Places
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