אָדָם (a.dam)
a.dam
Adam
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 12 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun adam refers primarily to the first human being, whose story begins in Genesis 2 and 5. It is a proper name for this ancestral figure, yet it also functions as a common noun meaning "man" or "mankind." In its generic sense, the word appears in passages that describe humanity’s general condition or relationship with God, such as Deuteronomy 32:8 and Job 31:33.
Etymologically, the name is often linked to the Hebrew root for "red" (adam), suggesting a connection to the earth from which the first man was formed. This linguistic link underscores the biblical theme of human origins from the dust of the ground. While the word appears in various contexts across Genesis, Joshua, and Job, its most significant usage remains tied to the narrative of creation and the early history of humanity.
Translators typically render adam as "Adam" when it functions as a name and as "man" or "mankind" in descriptive passages. This dual usage highlights the word’s importance in understanding both individual identity and collective human nature within the biblical text.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Adam carries a profound weight in Scripture, linking our identity directly to the earth from which we were formed. It is not merely a label for the first man but a reminder that human life is grounded in God’s creative act. When Genesis describes him being made from the dust, it establishes a humble origin for all humanity, emphasizing that every person bears the image of their Creator.
This word bridges the gap between individual history and collective experience. While Adam represents the starting point of the human race, his story also reflects the shared struggles of sin, labor, and mortality. Yet, even in the aftermath of disobedience, we see God’s care in clothing him and his wife, pointing toward a divine provision that sustains us through our earthly journey.
Understanding Adam helps us see ourselves not as isolated beings but as part of a larger narrative begun by God. It invites us to recognize our dependence on Him for life, purpose, and ultimately, redemption. This connection reminds us that our origins are holy, and our destiny is held in His hands.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Adam6×
- like/ Adam2×
- from/ Adam1×
- for/ Adam1×
- and/ to/ Adam1×
- and/ for/ Adam1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אָדָ֥ם2×
- אָדָ֗ם2×
- מֵֽ/אָדָ֤ם1×
- לְ/אָדָ֧ם1×
- כְּ/אָדָ֖ם1×
- כְ/אָדָ֣ם1×
- וּ/לְ/אָדָ֣ם1×
- וּ/לְ/אָדָ֕ם1×
- אָדָם֙1×
- אָדָ֑ם1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 5:1
This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, he made him in God’s likeness.
This verse establishes Adam as the head of a recorded lineage, showing how his identity anchors the history of all subsequent humanity.
-
Genesis 3:21
Yahweh God made garments of animal skins for Adam and for his wife, and clothed them.
Here God actively provides for Adam and Eve, demonstrating care and grace even after their fall into sin.
-
Hosea 6:7
But they, like Adam, have broken the covenant. They were unfaithful to me there.
The prophet uses Adam as a historical example of covenant breaking, illustrating how human failure mirrors the first rebellion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Adam mean?
Is Adam used as a common noun in the Bible?
Why is Adam important in the New Testament?
Every Occurrence (12 verses across 5 books)
Genesis 8 verses
The man gave names to all livestock, and to the birds of the sky, and to every animal of the field; but for man there…
Genesis 3:17To Adam he said, “Because you have listened to your wife’s voice, and have eaten from the tree, about which I commanded…
Genesis 3:21Yahweh God made garments of animal skins for Adam and for his wife, and clothed them.
Genesis 4:25Adam knew his wife again. She gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, saying, “for God has given me another child…
Genesis 5:1This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, he made him in God’s likeness.
Genesis 5:3Adam lived one hundred thirty years, and became the father of a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him…
Genesis 5:4The days of Adam after he became the father of Seth were eight hundred years, and he became the father of other sons…
Genesis 5:5All the days that Adam lived were nine hundred thirty years, then he died.