עֲדִיתַיִם
𐤏𐤃𐤉𐤕𐤉𐤌
Aditayim
H5723 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Adithaim; a place name referring to a settlement or locality mentioned in the territorial lists of southern Judah, likely indicating a 'double Adith', 'double slopes', or 'double prey' based on uncertain etymology. The term is used as a proper noun for a specific geographical location, not as a common noun.
Semantic Range
proper noun (place name), possibly 'double slopes', 'double ornament', or 'double prey' (folk etymology); only attested referring to a settlement in Judah
Root / Etymology
Derived as a dual form of עֲדִית (feminine form of עַד); the precise root meaning is uncertain but may relate to the root ע-ד meaning 'ornament', 'prey', or 'slope'. The dual ending suggests a feature relating to 'double' or 'twofold' aspects, possibly referencing topography (e.g., twin hills or valleys) or some notable characteristic of the site. The formation is unique among biblical place names.
Historical & Contextual Notes
עֲדִיתַיִם occurs in the list of Judahite towns in Joshua 15:36. Its dual form is uncommon for place names, hinting at a location characterized by a pair of prominent features or a double settlement. The underlying noun עֲדִית appears otherwise only in place names. Standard English translations often render the name as 'Adithaim' without explanation. The region is part of southern Judah, and its precise site is debated or lost, not identifiable with any settler group or known population after the exilic period. Some translation traditions, such as the Septuagint, simply transliterate the name. There is no basis for applying later terms such as 'Jew' to its inhabitants; at the time of Joshua, the local population would be properly described as Judahite or southern Israelites. The strong KJV gloss 'double prey' is based on folk etymology and not on securely established lexical evidence.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
dual of a feminine of עַד; double prey; Adithajim, a place in Palestine; Adithaim.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עדה (ʿ-d-h) — ornament, prey, slope, passing
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H112 | אִדּוֹ | Timely One |
| H4572 | מַעֲדַי | Adorned One |
| H4573 | מַעֲדְיָה | Yahweh-is-Ornament |
| H5709 | עֲדָא | they caused to pass away |
| H5710 | עָדָה | Adorned One |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5723-01 |
וַ/עֲדִיתַ֔יִם | vaaditayim | HC/Np |
and Adithaim | Double-Adith | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5723-01 |
Joshua 15:36 | וַ/עֲדִיתַ֔יִם | vaaditayim | HC/Np |
and Adithaim | Double-Adith |