פַּס דַּמִּים
Pas-Dammim, a place in Palestine
Definition
Pas-Dammim is a proper noun referring to a specific location in ancient Palestine, mentioned only once in the Old Testament. The name itself means 'palm (or dell) of bloodshed,' derived from its Hebrew components. It is identified as the site of a significant battle where one of David's mighty men, Eleazar, stood his ground against the Philistines (1 Chronicles 11:13). This location is also referenced in the parallel account of 1 Samuel 17:1, where it is called Ephes-dammim, indicating these are two names for the same place near the Valley of Elah.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 11:13, within a historical narrative recounting the exploits of King David's warriors. Its usage is strictly geographical, identifying the battlefield location of a heroic stand. The context is military history, linking the place name directly to a story of valor and divine deliverance in combat against the Philistines.
Etymology
The name Pas-Dammim is a compound Hebrew word. It originates from 'pas' (H6446), meaning 'palm' (of the hand) or by extension a 'flat place' or 'dell,' and 'dammim' (plural of H1818, 'dam'), meaning 'blood.' Thus, it literally translates to 'palm of bloodshed' or 'dell of blood.' This vividly descriptive name likely commemorated a historically bloody conflict at that site.
Semantic Range
While primarily a geographical marker, the name Pas-Dammim and its associated narrative contribute to the theology of God's faithfulness in battle and the valor of those who trust in Him. The story in 1 Chronicles 11:13 highlights divine intervention granting victory against overwhelming odds, a recurring theme in Israel's history. Understanding the name's meaning—'dell of bloodshed'—underscores the high cost and fierce reality of the conflicts through which God established and preserved His people, pointing to His sovereignty over human warfare.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, place names often commemorated significant events, especially battles. Naming a location 'Palm of Bloodshed' served as a permanent, geographical memorial to a major conflict. This practice helped preserve collective memory and history. For the original readers of Chronicles, this name would immediately evoke the story of Eleazar's heroism and the broader context of the Philistine wars.
Ephes-dammim (’Epes Dammîym, H658) — An alternate name for the same location, used in 1 Samuel 17:1. 'Ephes' can mean 'end' or 'boundary,' so the name may emphasize it as a 'boundary of bloodshed.'
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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