perhaps for דִּיבוֹן; Dimon, a place in Palestine; Dimon.
Transliteration:Dîymôwn
Pronunciation:dee-mone'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma דִּימוֹן (Dîymôwn) `{{H1775}}` is a proper noun, specifically a geographical place name. Unlike common nouns or verbs, its meaning is not derived from a root in the typical sense, but rather identifies a specific location. The primary semantic note associated with דִּימוֹן is the strong suggestion that it is "perhaps for דִּיבוֹן (Dîybôwn) `{{H1761}}`." This indicates a potential scribal variant, an alternative phonetic rendering, or a closely related geographical entity. If indeed a variant of Dibon, its significance is inextricably linked to that more frequently mentioned city in the territory of Moab. The name itself does not carry an inherent descriptive meaning in Hebrew, but its context in prophetic literature imbues it with profound theological weight.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name דִּימוֹן (Dîymôwn) `{{H1775}}` appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Isaiah:
* [[Isaiah 15:9]]: "For the waters of Dimon are full of blood; for I will bring more upon Dimon, a lion upon him that escapeth of Moab, and upon the remnant of the land."
This verse is part of a prophetic oracle (Isaiah 15-16) detailing the devastating judgment to befall Moab. The imagery of "the waters of Dimon are full of blood" powerfully conveys the extent of the slaughter and destruction. The explicit mention of "Moab" immediately connects Dimon to this nation, situated east of the Dead Sea. Scholars widely agree that דִּימוֹן in this context is a deliberate phonetic or scribal variant of דִּיבוֹן (Dibon) `{{H1761}}`, a major city of Moab. The alteration from ב (bet) to מ (mem) might be a prophetic wordplay, linking the name to דָּם (dam) `{{H1818}}`, the Hebrew word for "blood," thereby intensifying the imagery of judgment and bloodshed. This prophetic device underscores the severity and totality of the divine wrath poured out upon Moab, leaving no escape for its inhabitants.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most significant related word is דִּיבוֹן (Dîybôwn) `{{H1761}}`, as דִּימוֹן is understood to be its variant. דִּיבוֹן was a prominent city in Moab, originally allotted to the tribe of Gad (e.g., [[Numbers 32:34]]), but later reclaimed by Moab, as evidenced by the Moabite Stone and various biblical passages (e.g., [[Jeremiah 48:18]]). The connection between דִּימוֹן and דִּיבוֹן highlights the prophetic focus on a specific, recognizable location within Moab.
Other related concepts include:
* **Moab:** The nation and people against whom the prophecy in Isaiah 15-16 is directed. Their history often involved antagonism towards Israel, and they are frequently depicted as a proud and ungodly nation in biblical literature.
* **Prophetic Judgment:** The broader theme of divine judgment against nations, which is a recurring motif in the prophetic books. This judgment is often a consequence of their sin, pride, or opposition to God's people.
* **דָּם (dam) `{{H1818}}`:** The Hebrew word for "blood." While not etymologically related to דִּימוֹן, the phonetic similarity and the context of "waters of Dimon are full of blood" strongly suggest a prophetic wordplay, emphasizing the literal and figurative bloodshed associated with the judgment.
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of דִּימוֹן (Dîymôwn) `{{H1775}}` carries significant theological weight within its prophetic context:
* **Divine Sovereignty over Nations:** The judgment pronounced upon Dimon/Moab powerfully affirms God's absolute sovereignty not only over His covenant people, Israel, but over all nations and their destinies. He is the Lord of history, and no nation, however powerful or seemingly independent, is beyond His divine decree.
* **Consequences of Pride and Rebellion:** Moab is frequently portrayed in Scripture as a nation characterized by pride and antagonism towards God's purposes and His people (e.g., [[Isaiah 16:6]]). The devastation prophesied for Dimon serves as a stark reminder that such arrogance and opposition inevitably lead to divine retribution and ruin.
* **Specificity of Prophecy:** The mention of a specific geographical location like Dimon underscores the concrete and historical nature of God's prophetic word. His pronouncements are not abstract but have tangible, real-world consequences, manifesting in the rise and fall of kingdoms.
* **Poetic Justice and Divine Retribution:** The vivid image of "waters... full of blood" is a powerful metaphor for overwhelming destruction and the complete defeat of a nation. It signifies a just recompense for their actions, a divine reckoning that leaves no escape. The potential wordplay with דָּם (blood) reinforces the notion of a bloody and decisive end brought about by divine wrath.
### Summary
דִּימוֹן (Dîymôwn) `{{H1775}}` is a proper noun, a place name appearing uniquely in [[Isaiah 15:9]]. It is widely understood to be a prophetic or scribal variant of דִּיבוֹן (Dîybôwn) `{{H1761}}`, a major city in Moab. Its sole biblical occurrence is within a prophetic oracle detailing God's severe judgment against Moab, where the "waters of Dimon" are depicted as "full of blood," a powerful metaphor for widespread slaughter. This vivid imagery may involve a prophetic wordplay on the Hebrew word for "blood" (דָּם `{{H1818}}`). Theologically, דִּימוֹן serves as a specific geographical marker within a broader message affirming God's absolute sovereignty over all nations, His righteous judgment against national pride and rebellion, and the inevitable, concrete fulfillment of His prophetic word in history. Its inclusion in Isaiah's prophecy underscores the devastating consequences of opposing the divine will.
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