658. Ephec Dammiym
Lexical Summary
Ephec Dammiym: Ephes Dammim

Original Word: אֶפֶס דַּמִּים
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Ephec Dammiym
Pronunciation: EH-fes DAH-meem
Phonetic Spelling: (eh'-fes dam-meem')
KJV: Ephes-dammim
Word Origin: [from H657 (אֶפֶס - ends) and the plural of H1818 (דָּם - blood)]

1. boundary of blood-drops
2. Ephes-Dammim, a place in Israel

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).
2. Faith at the limits: The “boundary” name highlights how God’s deliverance often comes when His people appear hemmed in. David crossed the boundary in faith, proving that the LORD “saves not with sword and spear” (1 Samuel 17:47).
3. Representative victory: One champion’s obedience brought freedom to the nation, foreshadowing the redemptive pattern fulfilled in Christ (Hebrews 2:14–15).
4. Spiritual warfare: Ephes-dammim illustrates the believer’s contested ground between promised inheritance and hostile powers (Ephesians 6:12). Its lesson calls for vigilance and godly courage whenever opposition encamps at the edge of one’s calling.

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).
• Valley of Elah – open plain where Goliath fell and Israel pursued the retreating Philistines (1 Samuel 17:2, 52).
• Pas-dammim – alternate form in David’s exploits (1 Chronicles 11:13), reinforcing the site’s association with heroic deliverance.
• Michmash – scene of Saul’s earlier victory, demonstrating the ebb and flow of Philistine conflict (1 Samuel 14).

Practical Application for Believers

• God’s people must guard the boundaries of their spiritual inheritance lest the enemy encamp unchallenged.
• True courage springs from zeal for God’s honor, not personal prowess.
• Individual obedience at critical moments can yield corporate deliverance and enduring testimony.
• Places once marked by bloodshed can become memorials of divine victory, encouraging future generations.

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 dammîm
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Englishman'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

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 658
1 Occurrence


dam·mîm — 1 Occ.

657
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