דִּימוֹן
Dimon, a place in Palestine
Definition
Dimon is a proper noun referring to a specific location in the region of Moab, mentioned in the prophetic literature of the Old Testament. It appears in Isaiah 15:9 as part of a prophetic oracle of judgment against Moab. The text describes the waters of Dimon being full of blood, symbolizing severe destruction. While some scholars suggest Dimon may be an alternate or corrupted spelling for the more well-known Moabite city of Dibon (H1769), its specific identification remains uncertain, and it is treated as a distinct place in this prophecy.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in Isaiah 15:9. It is used in the context of a prophetic judgment oracle against the nation of Moab. The usage is purely geographical, naming a place whose waters will be turned to blood as a sign of divine judgment. There are no other biblical occurrences or patterns of usage.
Etymology
The etymology of Dimon (דִּימוֹן) is uncertain. It is widely considered a deliberate textual variation or corruption of the name Dibon (דִּיבוֹן, H1769), a major Moabite city frequently mentioned in the Bible (e.g., Numbers 21:30, Isaiah 15:2). The change from 'b' (ב) to 'm' (מ) may be a scribal alteration or a dialectical variation. The name Dibon itself is possibly derived from a root meaning 'to waste away' or 'to pine,' which would fittingly parallel the theme of desolation in Isaiah's prophecy.
Semantic Range
While Dimon itself is a minor geographical name, its single appearance carries theological weight within the larger prophecy of Isaiah 15–16. It serves as a specific, tangible example within a message about God's sovereign judgment against the pride and arrogance of nations (in this case, Moab). The imagery of its waters filled with blood (Isaiah 15:9) echoes the plagues of Egypt, reinforcing themes of divine retribution. Understanding this reference enriches the reading by grounding the prophecy in a real, though obscure, location, emphasizing that God's judgments are not abstract but touch specific places and people.
In its original context, Dimon (likely Dibon) was understood as a significant city in the territory of Moab, a nation often in conflict with Israel. The prophecy in Isaiah would have resonated with an audience familiar with Moab as a political and military rival. The image of a city's water source turning to blood was a potent symbol of total devastation and divine curse in the arid Near East, where water meant life. This cultural understanding amplifies the severity of the prophetic message.
Dibon (Dîybôn, H1769) — The primary and more frequently attested Moabite city name, which Dimon is likely a variant spelling referencing the same location.
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.
Full methodology & sources →