### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **ʼÂdâm**, represented by `{{H121}}`, is the proper name of the first man, and is also used for a place in Palestine. It appears 9 times across 9 unique verses in the Bible. It is the same as the word for man or mankind, `{{H120}}`.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H121}}` is used to identify the first human. God caused a deep sleep `{{H8639}}` to fall upon **Adam** to form a woman from one of his ribs `{{H6763}}` [[Genesis 2:21]]. Following their disobedience, God confronts **Adam**, and because he hearkened to the voice of his wife `{{H802}}` and ate from the forbidden tree `{{H6086}}`, the ground `{{H127}}` was cursed for his sake [[Genesis 3:17]]. The name also marks the beginning of human history in "the book of the generations of **Adam**" [[Genesis 5:1]]. In a different context, `{{H121}}` refers to a city near Zaretan `{{H6891}}` where the waters of the Jordan river rose up in a heap [[Joshua 3:16]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide deeper context for the significance of `{{H121}}` **ʼÂdâm**:
* `{{H120}}` **ʼâdâm**: This is the general Hebrew term for a human being or mankind. It is used in the account of God creating **man** `{{H120}}` in His own image `{{H6754}}` [[Genesis 1:27]] and forming **man** `{{H120}}` from the dust of the ground `{{H127}}` [[Genesis 2:7]].
* `{{H127}}` **ʼădâmâh**: This word means soil or ground, from which man was formed. The connection is highlighted when the **ground** `{{H127}}` is cursed because of Adam's transgression [[Genesis 3:17]].
* `{{H1121}}` **bên**: As the word for son, it is essential for understanding the lineage that comes from Adam. After begetting Seth, Adam lived for eight hundred years and begat **sons** `{{H1121}}` and daughters `{{H1323}}` [[Genesis 5:4]].
* `{{H8352}}` **Shêth**: The name of Adam's third son, **Seth**, who was begotten in his father's own likeness `{{H1823}}` and image `{{H6754}}` [[Genesis 5:3]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H121}}` is established from the earliest chapters of Scripture.
* **Progenitor of Humanity**: Adam is the head of all human lineage. The Bible records "the book of the generations of **Adam**" [[Genesis 5:1]] and begins its genealogical lists with him [[1 Chronicles 1:1]].
* **Creation in Divine Likeness**: God created man `{{H120}}` in the likeness `{{H1823}}` of God [[Genesis 5:1]]. Subsequently, **Adam** begat a son, Seth, "in his own likeness, after his image" [[Genesis 5:3]], establishing the pattern of passing on the human image through generations.
* **The Representative of Sin**: Adam's act of disobedience has lasting consequences. The ground is cursed for his sake [[Genesis 3:17]], and his actions serve as a reference for covering transgressions `{{H6588}}`, as when Job considers if he hid his iniquity "as **Adam**" [[Job 31:33]].
* **Lifespan and Mortality**: The narrative records Adam's lifespan of nine hundred and thirty years `{{H8141}}` and concludes with the statement, "and he died" `{{H4191}}`, establishing the reality of death that followed the fall [[Genesis 5:5]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H121}}` **ʼÂdâm** is a foundational name in the Bible, signifying both the first man and a specific location. As a person, Adam is central to the doctrines of creation, the image of God, the fall of humanity, and the origin of sin and death. His life, as recorded in Genesis, establishes the genealogical line from which all humanity proceeds, making his name synonymous with the very origin of mankind.
TRV