אֶ֫פֶס דַּמִּים (e.phes dam.mim)
e.phes dam.mim
Ephes-dammim
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The phrase ephes damim translates literally as "edge of blood" or "boundary of blood." It serves as a proper name for a specific location in the territory of Judah, situated approximately sixteen miles southwest of Jerusalem. This site is mentioned only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the account of David’s early military exploits found in 1 Samuel 17:1.
Interestingly, the same place appears under a slightly different name, pas damim, in 1 Chronicles 11:13. While the core meaning remains consistent, the variation in the first syllable suggests either a textual difference between the Samuel and Chronicles traditions or a local distinction in how the site was identified. The name itself evokes a vivid image, possibly referencing a past battle or a geographical feature associated with conflict.
As a toponym, ephes damim anchors the narrative of David’s rise by locating his first major victory against the Philistines in a concrete setting. It reminds readers that the biblical story unfolds in real places, where history and geography intersect. The brevity of its mention underscores how specific locations can carry significant weight within the broader sweep of Israel’s history.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Ephes-dammim, meaning "edge of blood," marks a specific spot on the map where history and faith intersect. It is not merely a geographical detail but a setting for divine intervention. When armies gathered here, the tension was palpable, yet this location became the stage for a young man to step forward in courage.
For your own life, this word reminds you that God often works in the midst of conflict and uncertainty. You may face your own "edges of blood"—moments where fear seems to loom large. Yet, just as David stood firm at Ephes-dammim, you can trust that God is present in the thick of battle, turning impossible situations into victories.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in/ Ephes1×
- Dammim1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- דַּמִּֽים\׃1×
- בְּ/אֶ֥פֶס1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 17:1
Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle; and they were gathered together at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah in Ephesdammim.
This verse establishes Ephes-dammim as the precise location where the Philistine and Israelite armies clashed, setting the stage for David's encounter with Goliath.