אֲדֻמִּים
Adummim, a pass in Palestine
Definition
Adummim is the name of a significant geographical pass in ancient Palestine, located on the road between Jericho and Jerusalem. The name itself means 'red spots' or 'red places,' likely referring to the reddish color of the soil or rock in the area. In the Bible, it serves as a key border landmark, specifically mentioned as part of the boundary between the territories of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin (Joshua 15:7, Joshua 18:17). Its identification as a pass underscores its strategic importance for travel and military movement in the region.
Biblical Usage
The word Adummim is used exclusively as a proper noun for a location in the Old Testament, appearing only in the book of Joshua. Both occurrences are in the context of defining tribal boundaries during the division of the Promised Land. In Joshua 15:7, it marks the northern border of Judah, and in Joshua 18:17, it marks the southern border of Benjamin, indicating it was a well-known, fixed point in the landscape.
Etymology
Adummim (אֲדֻמִּים) is the masculine plural form of the Hebrew adjective 'adom' (אָדֹם), meaning 'red.' It is directly derived from the root אדם (H119), which relates to redness or the color red. The plural form suggests 'red things' or 'red places,' a descriptive name for the location's physical appearance. It is also related to the word for mankind, 'adam' (H120), which carries a connection to the 'red earth.'
Semantic Range
While primarily a geographical marker, Adummim's role in the precise delineation of tribal inheritances (Joshua 15:7, 18:17) highlights the theme of God's faithfulness in apportioning the land as promised. Its name, meaning 'red,' may subtly evoke themes of earth, creation, or even blood, connecting the physical landscape to the broader biblical narrative of God's covenant with His people. Understanding its location enriches the reading of stories involving travel between Jericho and Jerusalem.
In its original setting, Adummim was not just a name but a recognizable landmark on a major travel route. The name, based on a visible color characteristic, reflects a common ancient Near Eastern practice of naming places after their physical features. For the Israelites, it functioned as an official boundary stone, a concept vital for establishing tribal identity, land ownership, and social order in their new territory.
None directly applicable as a proper place name. For the color concept: אָדֹם (adom, H119) — the adjective 'red.' For the earth/man concept: אָדָם (adam, H120) — mankind, from the ground.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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