Lexical Definition
אֶפֶס דַּמִּים ʼEpheç Dammîym (eh'-fes dam-meem') Ephes-dammim N:N--L
from אֶפֶס and the plural of דָּם; boundary of blood-drops
Ephes-dammim.
- § Ephes Dammim = "edge of blood"
- Ephes-Dammim, a place in Palestine
1) a place approx 16 miles (25 km) southwest of Jerusalem
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| דַּמִּֽים | Dammim | 1Sam.17.1 |
| בְּאֶ֥פֶס | in Ephes | 1Sam.17.1 |
| Αφεσδομίν | Ephes-dammin | LXX.1Sam.17.1 |
Extended Information
- Ephes Dammim = "edge of blood"
- Also named: pas dam.mim (פַּס דַּמִּים "Pas-dammim" פַּס דַּמִּים)
Brown-Driver-Briggs
אֶ֫פֶס דַּמִּים proper name, of a location in Judah, approximately 16 miles southwest of Jerusalem, called in 1Chr 11:13 פַּס דַּמִּים, (meaning unknown; LagBN 76 on basis of MSS. of ᵐ5 would read ספר מים edge or brink (
) of water; but such a pronounced Aramaism is not probable), only 1Sam 17:1.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| 1 Samuel | 17:1 |
| 1 Chronicles | 11:13 |
Profile
Ephes-dammim • Place where the Philistines and Israelites fought; Goliath's challenge
Ephes-dammim (or Pas-dammim), the place where the Philistines and Israelites faced each other in battle, and where Goliath challenged the Israelites.
- A location first mentioned at 1Sa.17.1;
- referred to as Ephes-dammim אֶפֶס דַּמִּים, or Pas-dammim (NIV= Pas Dammim) פַּס דַּמִּים.
Ephes-dammim, also known as Pas-dammim, was a place located between Socoh and Azekah in Judah where the Philistines and the Israelites faced each other in battle (1 Samuel 17:1; 1 Chronicles 11:13). It was the site of the famous confrontation between David and the Philistine giant Goliath.
The Philistines had gathered their forces at Ephes-dammim, while Saul and the men of Israel were encamped in the Valley of Elah. Goliath, a champion from Gath, emerged from the Philistine camp and challenged the Israelites to send out a warrior to face him in single combat (1 Samuel 17:4-10).
David, who had come to the Israelite camp to bring supplies to his brothers, accepted Goliath's challenge. With a sling and a stone, David defeated Goliath, leading to a great victory for the Israelites over the Philistines (1 Samuel 17:48-53).
The alternate name Pas-dammim, used in 1 Chronicles 11:13, may be a variant spelling or a scribal error. The exact location of Ephes-dammim is uncertain, but it was likely situated in the Shephelah, the foothills between the coastal plain and the Judean mountains, where many battles between the Israelites and Philistines took place.
All entries for Ephes-dammim or Pas-dammim: אֶפֶס דַּמִּים ☩ פַּס דַּמִּים