from דָּמַם (compare אָדַם); blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshed (i.e. drops of blood); blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), [phrase] innocent.
Transliteration:dâm
Pronunciation:dawm
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word דָּם (dâm, `{{H1818}}`) fundamentally signifies "blood," serving as a potent symbol of life itself. Its etymological roots are often linked to דָּמַם (dâmam, `{{H1826}}`), meaning "to be silent" or "to cease," perhaps alluding to the cessation of life when blood is shed. Another possible connection is to אָדַם ('adam, `{{H120}}`), "to be red," highlighting the characteristic color of blood.
The primary semantic range of דָּם encompasses:
1. **Literal Blood:** The physical fluid of humans or animals, explicitly understood as the carrier of life. The shedding of this blood is equated with the taking of life.
2. **Analogical Use:** By extension, it can refer to the "juice of the grape," or wine, as seen in prophetic blessings, where its color and life-giving (or intoxicating) properties are paralleled with blood.
3. **Figurative Meaning:** Most significantly, דָּם often denotes "bloodshed," "bloodguiltiness," or "violent death," particularly when used in the plural. This figurative sense carries immense moral and legal weight, implying culpability for the taking of life. Phrases like "innocent blood" underscore the injustice of such acts.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term דָּם appears extensively throughout the Old Testament, revealing its multifaceted significance:
* **Life Principle:** From the earliest narratives, blood is intrinsically linked to life. God declares, "Only flesh with its life, its blood, you shall not eat" [[Genesis 9:4]], a command reiterated in the Mosaic Law: "For the life of the flesh is in the blood" [[Leviticus 17:11]]. This establishes blood as sacred because it contains the divine gift of life (נֶפֶשׁ - nephesh).
* **Atonement and Sacrifice:** The most profound theological application of דָּם is in the sacrificial system. Blood, representing life, was offered on the altar to make atonement for sin. "For it is the blood that makes atonement by the life" [[Leviticus 17:11]]. This is seen in the Passover lamb's blood [[Exodus 12:7, Exodus 12:13]] and throughout the Levitical rituals, where blood purifies and reconciles.
* **Covenant Ratification:** Blood was employed to seal covenants, symbolizing the life given to establish the agreement and the severe consequences of breaking it. Moses sprinkled the blood of the covenant upon the people, declaring, "Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you" [[Exodus 24:8]].
* **Guilt and Defilement:** The shedding of innocent blood brings severe defilement and guilt upon individuals, families, and the land itself. Abel's blood "cries out" from the ground to God [[Genesis 4:10]], signifying a demand for justice. Murderers are described as having "blood on their hands" [[Isaiah 1:15]], and the land is polluted by bloodguilt [[Numbers 35:33]].
* **Divine Judgment:** Blood can also be an instrument or sign of divine judgment, as seen in the plague where the waters of Egypt were turned to blood [[Exodus 7:19]].
* **Analogical Use (Wine):** In a positive context, דָּם refers to the "blood of grapes" (wine), symbolizing abundance and blessing, as in Jacob's blessing upon Judah: "He washes his garments in wine and his vesture in the blood of grapes" [[Genesis 49:11]].
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of דָּם is enriched by its connections to several other Hebrew terms and theological concepts:
* **Etymological Relations:** As noted, דָּמַם (dâmam, `{{H1826}}`, "to be silent, cease") and אָדַם ('adam, `{{H120}}`, "to be red") offer insights into the cessation of life and the visual characteristic of blood.
* **נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, `{{H5315}}`):** This word, often translated "soul" or "life," is explicitly linked to דָּם, as the "life (nephesh) of the flesh is in the blood" [[Leviticus 17:11]]. This connection underscores the sanctity of life and the profound theological implications of blood.
* **כָּפַר (kaphar, `{{H3722}}`):** "To atone, make propitiation." The concept of atonement is inextricably tied to the shedding of blood, as blood is the divinely appointed means for covering sin.
* **אָשָׁם ('asham, `{{H817}}`):** "Guilt, trespass offering." Bloodshed, especially of the innocent, incurs profound guilt, which often required specific atonement or retribution.
* **זֶבַח (zevach, `{{H2077}}`):** "Sacrifice." Blood is the central element in the sacrificial system, representing the life surrendered to God for the purpose of reconciliation.
* **טָהוֹר (tahor, `{{H2889}}`) and טָמֵא (tame', `{{H2930}}`):** "Clean" and "unclean." While sacrificial blood could purify, certain types of blood (e.g., menstrual, childbirth blood, or the blood of a corpse) could render a person ritually unclean, requiring purification rites.
* **New Testament Parallel:** The Greek equivalent, αἷμα (haima, `{{G129}}`), carries over many of the Old Testament theological implications, particularly concerning the atoning work of Jesus Christ. His blood is presented as the ultimate, perfect sacrifice that establishes the new covenant [[Matthew 26:28]], redeems humanity [[Ephesians 1:7]], and purifies from all sin [[1 John 1:7]].
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of דָּם is profound and foundational to biblical theology:
1. **The Sanctity of Life:** The most fundamental theological truth conveyed by דָּם is that life belongs to God. The prohibition against consuming blood [[Genesis 9:4-6]], [[Leviticus 17:10-14]] serves as a constant reminder that life is sacred and not to be treated as common. Murder, the shedding of innocent blood, is therefore a direct assault on God's sovereignty over life and carries the most severe consequences.
2. **The Principle of Atonement:** The core of the Old Testament sacrificial system rests on the principle that "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins" [[Hebrews 9:22]], echoing [[Leviticus 17:11]]. Blood, representing life, was given in exchange for the life forfeited by sin. This divine provision for atonement through blood foreshadows the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice of Christ.
3. **Covenant Ratification and Relationship:** Blood was used to solemnize covenants, signifying the binding nature of the agreement and the life-and-death consequences of fidelity or infidelity. This ritual act underscores God's commitment to His covenant people and their reciprocal obligation, culminating in the "blood of the new covenant" established by Christ.
4. **Justice and Retribution:** The cry of innocent blood for justice highlights God's righteous character and His demand for accountability. Bloodguilt defiles the land and necessitates either divine judgment or a divinely appointed means of cleansing.
5. **Redemptive Foreshadowing:** The Old Testament understanding of דָּם, particularly its role in atonement and covenant, serves as a powerful theological bridge to the New Testament. The efficacy of the blood of bulls and goats was limited and temporary, pointing to the perfect, eternal redemption secured by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, which cleanses conscience, redeems from sin, and establishes a new and living way to God.
### Summary
The Hebrew word דָּם (dâm, `{{H1818}}`) is far more than a biological term; it is a profound theological concept central to the biblical narrative. It embodies the sanctity of life, serving as the very essence of existence that belongs exclusively to God. Its shedding signifies death, guilt, and defilement, demanding divine justice. Crucially, דָּם is the divinely appointed means of atonement, a life given for a life, covering sin and making reconciliation possible. This intricate Old Testament understanding of blood, woven into the fabric of creation, covenant, and cult, culminates in the New Testament's revelation of the atoning, covenant-ratifying, and life-giving power of the blood of Jesus Christ, the ultimate and perfect sacrifice for the redemption of humanity.
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