אָדֹם (a.dam)
a.dam
to redden
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb adom describes the act of becoming red or causing something to appear red. Its core meaning is visual, focusing on the physical state of ruddiness or the application of dye. In the Old Testament, this word appears in nine verses, often describing natural coloration or deliberate staining.
A striking example occurs in Genesis 25:25, where Esau is described as "red" (adom) at birth, a detail that becomes central to his name and identity. The sources note various grammatical forms, including the Pual stem, which indicates being rubbed or dyed red, suggesting intentional processes like fabric dyeing or skin treatment. In Lamentations 4:7, the purity of Zion’s priests is compared to something "whiter than snow" and "redder than rubies," using the concept of intense redness to highlight their former splendor.
The word’s range extends beyond simple color description. It can imply a glowing or glaring redness, as seen in some poetic contexts where fire or anger is depicted with vivid imagery. Translators often render it as "red," "ruddy," or "dyed red," depending on context. The term carries no inherent moral judgment; it simply denotes the presence of red color, whether natural, accidental, or artificial.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word adom simply means to redden or become red. It describes a visible change in color, whether natural or applied. In Genesis, Esau’s skin was red at birth, linking his physical appearance to his name. This detail highlights how the Bible uses concrete imagery to ground spiritual stories in real human experience.
In other passages, the word appears in descriptions of materials for the Tabernacle. Rams’ skins were dyed red to protect the sacred tent. These vivid colors show that God cares about beauty and craftsmanship in worship. The physical world reflects His glory through details like this.
Isaiah uses the image of redness metaphorically. He speaks of sins being as scarlet or crimson, yet promises they will become white as snow. This contrast shows that no matter how deep our guilt feels, God’s grace can cleanse it completely. The color red here points not to shame, but to the depth of need that meets divine mercy.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- dyed red5×
- they were red1×
- they are red1×
- that/ was dyed red1×
- it will be red1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מְאָדָּמִ֛ים3×
- מְאָדָּמִ֑ים2×
- יַאְדִּ֥ימוּ1×
- יִתְאַ֫דָּ֥ם1×
- הַ/מְאָדָּמִ֔ים1×
- אָ֤דְמוּ1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 25:5
rams’ skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood,
The rams’ skins dyed red served as a protective covering for the Tabernacle, showing how ordinary materials were prepared for sacred use.
-
Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, and let’s reason together,” says Yahweh: “Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Here the word describes sins as scarlet or crimson, emphasizing their vivid intensity before God’s promise of cleansing to whiteness.
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Lamentations 4:7
Her nobles were purer than snow. They were whiter than milk. They were more ruddy in body than rubies. Their polishing was like sapphire.
The nobles were described as more ruddy than rubies, using intense redness to highlight their former purity and splendor before destruction.
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Proverbs 23:31
Don’t look at the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly.
Wine is depicted as red and sparkling, warning against the deceptive allure of something that looks appealing but leads to harm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word adom mean?
How is adom used in Isaiah 1:18?
Why were rams’ skins dyed red in Exodus?
Does adom have a negative meaning?
Every Occurrence (9 verses across 4 books)
Exodus 6 verses
rams’ skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood,
Exodus 26:14You shall make a covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering of sea cow hides above.
Exodus 35:7rams’ skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood,
Exodus 35:23Everyone with whom was found blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats’ hair, rams’ skins dyed red, and sea cow hides,…
Exodus 36:19He made a covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering of sea cow hides above.
Exodus 39:34the covering of rams’ skins dyed red, the covering of sea cow hides, the veil of the screen,