Lexical Summary Ephec Dammiym: Ephes Dammim Original Word: אֶפֶס דַּמִּים Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Ephes-dammim From 'ephec and the plural of dam; boundary of blood-drops; Ephes-Dammim, a place in Palestine -- Ephes- dammim. see HEBREW 'ephec see HEBREW dam Brown-Driver-Briggs אֶ֫פֶס דַּמִּים proper name, of a location in Judah, approximately 16 miles southwest of Jerusalem, called in 1 Chronicles 11:13 מַּס דַּמִּים, (meaning unknown; LagBN 76 on basis of MSS. of ᵐ5 would read ספר מים edge or brink ( ) of water; but such a pronounced Aramaism is not probable), only 1 Samuel 17:1. Topical Lexicon Geographic Setting Ephes-dammim lay in the Shephelah of Judah, the low foothills that rise from the Philistine plain to the Judean highlands. Flanked by Socoh on one ridge and Azekah on another, it overlooked the Valley of Elah—a strategic corridor through which invading forces could penetrate the heartland of Israel. The ridge offered natural defenses, seasonal wadis for water, and grain fields to sustain an army, making it a logical staging area for Philistine aggression. Biblical Occurrence 1 Samuel 17:1 records the Philistines encamping at Ephes-dammim immediately before the duel between David and Goliath: “The Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Socoh in Judah. They camped at Ephes-dammim, between Socoh and Azekah.”. Although the name appears only here, a parallel form, Pas-dammim (1 Chronicles 11:13), marks the same locality in the account of David’s mighty men. Historical Context During Saul’s reign, Philistine power dominated the coastal plain and repeatedly pressed into Israelite territory (1 Samuel 13–14). Ephes-dammim, literally a “boundary of bloodshed,” served as a forward position from which the Philistines sought to control the inland routes. Their choice of this site underscores its history as a contested border: whoever held the ridge could either shield Judah or open the hill country to attack. The massing of troops there set the stage for a decisive moment in Israel’s struggle for national survival and covenant faithfulness. Theological and Ministry Insights 1. Covenant land defended: By taking his stand near Ephes-dammim, David affirmed God’s promise of territory to His people (Genesis 15:18–21), framing the conflict in spiritual rather than merely political terms (1 Samuel 17:26). Christological Foreshadowing David’s solitary advance from the Israelite ranks anticipates the greater Son of David who would fight on behalf of His people. Both confront the enemy where Israel is powerless, employ unexpected means, win total victory, and distribute the spoils to the people (Ephesians 4:8). Archaeological and Extra-Biblical Witness Modern identifications include Khirbet Damun and Beit Fased, both overlooking the Elah valley. Iron Age surface pottery confirms occupation during the monarchy, consistent with biblical chronology. While no inscriptions yet name Ephes-dammim directly, the Shephelah’s fortified line—Azekah, Socoh, and others—is well attested in both archaeological strata and Egyptian topographical lists, lending historical plausibility to the narrative. Related Places and Names • Socoh and Azekah – towns bracketing the site, later fortified by Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 11:7–10). Practical Application for Believers • God’s people must guard the boundaries of their spiritual inheritance lest the enemy encamp unchallenged. Summary Ephes-dammim, though mentioned only once, functions as a theological pivot in Israel’s early monarchy. Set on a strategic ridge in Judah, this “boundary of blood” witnessed God’s dramatic intervention through David, transforming a place of fear into a landmark of faith. Its legacy urges believers to step forward in confidence, knowing that “the battle belongs to the LORD.” Forms and Transliterations דַּמִּֽים׃ דמים׃ dam·mîm damMim dammîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 17:1 HEB: עֲזֵקָ֖ה בְּאֶ֥פֶס דַּמִּֽים׃ NAS: Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. KJV: and Azekah, in Ephesdammim. INT: between and Azekah Ephes-dammim |
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