אֲדַמְדָּם

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word ʼădamdâm, represented by H125, is a specific term for reddish or somewhat reddish. It appears 6 times across 6 unique verses in the Bible. As a reduplicated form of the root word for red, it emphasizes the reddish quality it describes, often in a context requiring careful visual inspection.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, the use of H125 is exclusively found within the book of Leviticus, specifically in the laws concerning the diagnosis of leprosy. The term is a key descriptor used by priests to identify a potential plague. It is applied to sores on the skin, such as a "white reddish sore" on a bald head Leviticus 13:42 or a "bright spot, white, and somewhat reddish" appearing after a boil Leviticus 13:19. The term also describes contamination in inanimate objects, including "greenish or reddish" plagues in garments Leviticus 13:49 and on the walls of a house Leviticus 14:37.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related color terms appear alongside H125, helping to define the specific visual characteristics of the plagues:

• H3422 yᵉraqraq (greenish, yellow): This word is paired directly with reddish to describe the appearance of a plague in a garment or a house (Leviticus 13:49, Leviticus 14:37). It is also used elsewhere to describe the color of "yellow gold" Psalms 68:13.
• H3836 lâbân (white): This is the most common color associated with reddish in diagnosing skin diseases, as seen in descriptions of a "white reddish" sore (Leviticus 13:42, Leviticus 13:43). The term white has a broad application in scripture, describing things from horses Zechariah 6:3 to manna Exodus 16:31.

Theological Significance

The significance of H125 is tied directly to the Levitical laws of purity and uncleanness. It functions as a critical element in a diagnostic process.

• Diagnostic Marker: The presence of a reddish hue is a primary sign that requires a priest to investigate a sore or discoloration as a potential plague of leprosy (Leviticus 13:19, Leviticus 13:43).
• Indicator of Contamination: When a reddish color appears in conjunction with other signs on skin, clothing, or walls, it is identified as a "plague of leprosy" Leviticus 13:49.
• Priestly Discernment: The word is always used in the context of a priest who must "look" upon the blemish to make a judgment, highlighting the careful visual examination required to enforce these laws of purity Leviticus 14:37.

Summary

In summary, H125 is a highly specialized term. Its meaning is not symbolic but descriptive, confined entirely to the clinical-style descriptions of leprosy in Leviticus. The word ʼădamdâm serves as a precise visual indicator for priests tasked with identifying contamination and upholding the ritual purity of the community, whether concerning people, clothing, or dwellings.