### 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.
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