אַדְמָה

אַדְמָה

Admah, a place near the Dead Sea

Definition

Admah is a proper noun referring to one of the five 'cities of the plain' located near the Dead Sea, historically associated with the region of Sodom and Gomorrah. It was a populated city destroyed by God alongside Sodom, Gomorrah, Zeboiim, and Zoar (Genesis 14:2-8). In the biblical narrative, Admah serves as a prime example of divine judgment against wickedness, as its destruction is cited as a warning in Deuteronomy 29:23 and a point of emotional contrast in God's mercy toward Israel in Hosea 11:8. Its location is generally understood to be in the fertile Jordan Valley near the southern end of the Dead Sea.

Biblical Usage

Admah is used exclusively as a geographic proper noun in the Old Testament, appearing only five times. It is consistently grouped with other cities of the plain, particularly Sodom and Gomorrah, in contexts of geography, warfare, and judgment. It first appears in the Table of Nations as a border city of the Canaanites (Genesis 10:19), then as a participant in the war of the kings (Genesis 14:2, 14:8). Later, it is invoked as a byword for utter destruction in the covenant curses (Deuteronomy 29:23) and as a rhetorical comparison in a prophecy of God's compassion (Hosea 11:8).

Etymology

The name Admah (אַדְמָה) is a contracted form of the Hebrew word 'adamah' (H127, אֲדָמָה), which means 'ground,' 'soil,' or 'earth.' This derivation suggests a meaning like 'earthy place' or 'grounded,' likely referring to the city's agricultural setting in the fertile plain. The connection to 'adamah' linguistically ties the city to the very soil from which humanity ('adam') was formed, adding a layer of irony to its complete destruction.

Semantic Range

Admah is theologically significant as a symbol of God's righteous judgment against pervasive sin and rebellion. Its destruction is a canonical benchmark for total divine judgment, used in Deuteronomy to warn Israel and in Hosea to highlight the astonishing depth of God's mercy—He declares that His heart recoils at making Israel like Admah. Understanding Admah enriches reading by providing a concrete historical reference point for the severity of sin's consequences and the surpassing wonder of God's covenantal love and reluctance to punish. In its ancient Near Eastern context, Admah was understood as a real, populated city-state within a coalition in the Jordan Valley, a region described as well-watered and fertile 'like the garden of the Lord' (Genesis 13:10). Its destruction was likely passed down as a historical and moral tale. The biblical presentation elevates this local catastrophe into a paradigm of divine intervention, setting it apart from merely natural disasters or political conquests common in the region's history. Sodom (Səḏōm, H5467) — The most prominent of the cities, synonymous with extreme wickedness and judgment. Gomorrah (ʿĂmōrâ, H6017) — Another principal city of the plain, always paired with Sodom in contexts of destruction.

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