Lexical Summary Adummim: Adummim Original Word: אֲדֻמִּים Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Adummim Plural of 'Adam; red spots; Adummim, a pass in Palestine -- Adummim. see HEBREW 'Adam NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as adom Definition a place between Jer. and Jericho NASB Translation Adummim (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֲדֻמִּים proper name, of a location see מַעֲלֶה below עלה. Topical Lexicon Biblical SettingAdummim designates a rugged ridge and mountain pass on the road linking the Jordan Valley with the highlands of Judea. Situated roughly midway between Jericho and Jerusalem, the site overlooks the Wadi Qelt and sits on the southern edge of the deep ravine that drains toward the Dead Sea. Its reddish cliffs give the region its name. Occurrences in Scripture • Joshua 15:7 places the Ascent of Adummim on the southern side of the ravine as a landmark on the eastern boundary of Judah: “And it went up to Debir from the Valley of Achor and turned north toward Gilgal, which faces the Ascent of Adummim south of the ravine”. Boundary Marker between Judah and Benjamin Because the ascent lies almost equidistant between Jerusalem’s high plateau and Jericho’s plain, its steep switchbacks provided a natural division between the tribal allotments. The dual mention in Joshua confirms that the location was prominent and easily recognized by travelers, surveyors, and military units alike. Strategic Importance 1. Commerce and Pilgrimage: The ascent formed the principal east-west artery from the Jordan crossing to Jerusalem. Merchants, priests, and pilgrims routinely climbed this road, exposing them to potential banditry in its narrow defiles. Connection to Jesus’ Parable The topography and reputation of Adummim illuminate Jesus’ choice of setting in the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Though Luke does not name the ascent, the road “from Jerusalem to Jericho” (Luke 10:30) follows the same route. The pass’s notoriety for robbers lends realism to the account while highlighting the compassion shown by the Samaritan in contrast to the neglect of the priest and Levite. Symbolic and Ministry Applications • Redemption imagery: The Hebrew root points to “red, ruddy,” evoking blood, sacrifice, and ultimately atonement. Travelers ascending from the Jordan Valley (symbolizing death and curse) toward Zion (life and blessing) passed through “red places,” a vivid reminder that approach to God requires bloodshed—fulfilled perfectly in Christ. Archaeological and Modern Identification Modern Khirbet Adummim and the nearby Israeli city Ma‘ale Adummim preserve the ancient name. Byzantine‐era monasteries such as Saint George in Wadi Qelt testify to a long tradition of Christian pilgrimage and contemplation in the area, reinforcing its enduring spiritual resonance. Key Insights for Discipleship 1. God uses ordinary geographic features to establish clear covenant boundaries; His Word likewise sets non-negotiable moral borders. Thus Adummim, though mentioned only twice, stands as a vivid intersection of geography, covenant history, and redemptive illustration, encouraging believers to walk wisely, guard the vulnerable, and remember the “blood-marked” path by which God brings His people home. Forms and Transliterations אֲדֻמִּ֑ים אֲדֻמִּ֔ים אדמים ’ă·ḏum·mîm ’ăḏummîm adumMimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 15:7 HEB: נֹ֙כַח֙ לְמַעֲלֵ֣ה אֲדֻמִּ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר מִנֶּ֖גֶב NAS: the ascent of Adummim, which KJV: the going up to Adummim, which [is] on the south side INT: is opposite the ascent of Adummim which the south Joshua 18:17 2 Occurrences |
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