plural from the same as שָׂדֶה; flats; Siddim, a valley in Palestine; Siddim.
Transliteration:Siddîym
Pronunciation:sid-deem'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma שִׂדִּים (Siddîym), Strong's number `{{H7708}}`, is a plural noun derived from the root of שָׂדֶה (sadeh), `{{H7704}}`, which signifies "field," "country," or "open land." As such, the base meaning of שִׂדִּים is "flats," "plains," or "fields," denoting a low-lying, open expanse of land. In its biblical usage, however, it functions exclusively as a proper noun: "Siddim," specifically referring to the "Valley of Siddim." This proper noun designates a particular geographical location in ancient Palestine, characterized by its flat or low-lying topography, as implied by its etymology.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term שִׂדִּים (Siddîym) appears only three times in the Hebrew Bible, all within the fourteenth chapter of Genesis: [[Genesis 14:3]], [[Genesis 14:8]], and [[Genesis 14:10]]. In each instance, it is found in the construct phrase עֵמֶק שִׂדִּים (ʿēmeq Siddîym), meaning "the Valley of Siddim."
The Valley of Siddim is the geographical setting for the pivotal battle between the four kings from the East (Chedorlaomer and his allies) and the five kings of the cities of the plain (Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela/Zoar).
* [[Genesis 14:3]] states, "All these joined forces in the Valley of Siddim, which is the Salt Sea." This crucial identification explicitly links the Valley of Siddim with what is known today as the Dead Sea. This suggests that the valley was a low-lying depression, perhaps already saline or prone to inundation, even before the catastrophic events of Genesis 19.
* [[Genesis 14:8]] reiterates the location of the battle: "And the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) went out and arrayed for battle against them in the Valley of Siddim." This verse confirms its strategic importance as a battleground.
* [[Genesis 14:10]] provides a key topographical detail: "Now the Valley of Siddim was full of bitumen pits; and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into them, and the rest fled to the hill country." The presence of numerous bitumen (tar) pits (בֶּאֱרֹת בֶּאֱרֹת חֵמָר) further characterizes the valley as a geologically active or unstable area, providing a natural hazard that contributed to the defeat of the kings of the plain.
The consistent description paints a picture of a low, possibly marshy or unstable plain, rich in natural resources like bitumen, located precisely where the Dead Sea now lies.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **שָׂדֶה (sadeh), `{{H7704}}`**: The etymological root of שִׂדִּים, meaning "field" or "open country." This connection underscores the "flat" or "plain" aspect of the Valley of Siddim.
* **עֵמֶק (ʿēmeq), `{{H6010}}`**: The Hebrew word for "valley" or "plain," consistently paired with Siddim to form "Valley of Siddim." This emphasizes the topographical nature of the location as a depressed area.
* **יָם הַמֶּלַח (Yam HaMelach)**: "The Salt Sea," the biblical name for the Dead Sea. The explicit identification of the Valley of Siddim with the Salt Sea in [[Genesis 14:3]] is paramount, linking this ancient battleground directly to the transformed landscape associated with divine judgment.
* **חֵמָר (ḥēmār), `{{H2564}}`**: "Bitumen" or "tar." The mention of "bitumen pits" in [[Genesis 14:10]] highlights a distinctive geological feature of the Valley of Siddim, which played a role in the outcome of the battle.
### Theological Significance
While שִׂדִּים (Siddîym) is primarily a geographical designation, its theological significance is profound due to its association with critical events in early biblical history.
1. **Stage for Divine Providence**: The Valley of Siddim serves as the backdrop for Abraham's first major military engagement, detailed in Genesis 14. This battle is not merely a regional conflict but a crucial moment where God's protective hand over Abraham is demonstrated. Abraham's victory, achieved with divine aid, secures the release of Lot and establishes Abraham's standing in the land, foreshadowing the fulfillment of God's covenant promises.
2. **Precursor to Judgment**: The identification of the Valley of Siddim with the Salt Sea ([[Genesis 14:3]]) intrinsically links it to the later destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19. Although the destruction itself is not described as occurring *in* the valley, its location at the future Dead Sea connects it directly to the region that experienced God's severe judgment. The vulnerability of the kings of the plain, falling into the bitumen pits, can be seen as a subtle foreshadowing of the ultimate downfall of the wicked cities. The very ground, characterized by its "flats" and "pits," becomes a silent witness to the impending divine wrath against human depravity.
3. **A Land Transformed**: The transformation of the Valley of Siddim into the Salt Sea speaks to the dramatic and irreversible consequences of sin. The physical landscape itself becomes a perpetual monument to God's justice, serving as a warning to future generations.
### Summary
The Hebrew word שִׂדִּים (Siddîym), Strong's `{{H7708}}`, derived from the root for "field," signifies "flats" or "plains." As a proper noun, it exclusively refers to the "Valley of Siddim," a specific geographical location mentioned only in Genesis 14. This valley is explicitly identified with the Salt Sea (Dead Sea) and was characterized by numerous bitumen pits. It served as the site of a significant battle involving Abraham and the kings of the plain. The theological importance of the Valley of Siddim stems from its role as the stage for this early demonstration of God's providence in Abraham's life, and its intrinsic connection to the region that would later experience divine judgment, thereby serving as a silent testimony to God's justice and His sovereign plan.
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