Lexical Summary
adom: Red
Original Word:אֱדֹם
Part of Speech:Adjective
Transliteration:adom
Pronunciation:ah-DOME
Phonetic Spelling:(aw-dome')
KJV: red, ruddy
NASB:red, ruddy
Word Origin:[fromH119 (אָדַם - dyed red)]
1. rosy
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
red, ruddy
From'adam; rosy -- red, ruddy.
see HEBREW'adam
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom the same as
adomDefinitionred
NASB Translationred (7), ruddy (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
—
Isaiah 63:2;
Zechariah 1:8 +
Genesis 25:30 (twice in verse), see below;
Songs 5:10; feminine
Numbers 19:2, plural
2 Kings 3:22 2t.; —
ruddy, red, of man
Songs 5:10; horse
Zechariah 1:8 (twice in verse) ("" compare Assyrian Dl
W 87)
Zechariah 6:2 ("" ); heifer
Numbers 19:2; water
2 Kings 3:22 ( ); compare as substantive
red, redness on garment
Isaiah 63:2; =
the (red) lentilsGenesis 25:30 (twice in verse), but read see below; compare also .
Topical Lexicon
Semantic Field and Biblical Usageאֱדֹם describes a vivid, blood-like redness. In Scripture it is applied to food (Genesis 25:30), animals (Numbers 19:2), human appearance (Song of Songs 5:10), garments (Isaiah 63:2), water that looks like blood (2 Kings 3:22), and the horses of apocalyptic visions (Zechariah 1:8;Zechariah 6:2). The range of contexts links the color to appetite, sacrifice, beauty, judgment, and eschatology.
Genesis 25: The Red Stew and the Birthright
When Esau begged for “some of that red stew” (Genesis 25:30), the word underscores his earthly appetite. The transaction that follows—selling the birthright for a meal—contrasts temporal satisfaction with covenant privilege. The color theme foreshadows the later nation of Edom, reminding readers that spiritual choices carry generational consequences.
Numbers 19: The Red Heifer and Atonement
“The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, ‘This is a statute of the law that the LORD has commanded: Tell the Israelites to bring you a red heifer without defect’ ” (Numbers 19:2). The flawless red heifer typifies total consecration and prefigures the once-for-all cleansing accomplished by Christ. Its ashes purified those defiled by death, pointing to the only blood able to cleanse from sin.
2 Kings 3:22: Illusion of Blood and Divine Deliverance
When Moab’s scouts rose at dawn, “the water opposite them looked red—like blood” (2 Kings 3:22). The redness deceived the enemy into premature celebration, leading to defeat. God turned what appeared to be Israel’s loss into victory. Red here becomes a visual metaphor for both danger and deliverance.
Song of Songs 5:10: Ruddy Beauty and Messianic Hints
“My beloved is radiant and ruddy, outstanding among ten thousand” (Song of Songs 5:10). The term conveys vigor and youthful vitality. Christian readers have long recognized in this description an anticipation of the loveliness and supremacy of Christ, whose blood would later secure redemption.
Isaiah 63:2: Garments Dyed in Judgment
Prophetically, the Servant-Warrior returns from Edom with apparel “stained crimson” (Isaiah 63:2). The red garments signify righteous wrath against evil and the costly victory of salvation. The scene balances the tenderness of the Redeemer with the terror of His judgment, urging reverent trust.
Zechariah’s Red Horses: Watchfulness and War
“I saw a man riding a red horse, and he was standing among the myrtle trees” (Zechariah 1:8). Again inZechariah 6:2, red horses lead the first chariot. In both visions the color signals warfare and vigilance. God’s angelic hosts survey the earth, ensuring that His purposes move unthwarted toward final peace.
Theological Threads
1. Sacrifice: Red evokes blood, tying human sin to divine provision.
2. Judgment: Whether in prophetic garments or war-horses, the hue warns of righteous reckoning.
3. Beauty: In the beloved’s complexion, red celebrates the goodness of creation and the glory awaiting the redeemed.
4. Deception versus Reality: What looks like blood to Moab reveals God’s strategy; outward appearances bow to sovereign design.
Ministry Implications
• Preaching: Use the red heifer to illustrate Christ’s sufficiency; contrast Esau’s stew with eternal inheritance.
• Worship: Songs and visuals referencing crimson can remind congregations of both the cross and coming judgment.
• Discipleship: Esau warns against impulsive choices;Isaiah 63 urges holiness in light of the returning King.
• Outreach: Zechariah’s horses affirm that history is not random; God actively governs nations.
Summary
אֱדֹם threads Scripture with a scarlet line that moves from appetite to atonement, from beauty to battle. Each occurrence enriches the biblical portrait of a holy God who redeems through blood, judges in righteousness, and ultimately clothes His people in radiant glory.
Forms and Transliterations
אֲדֻמִּ֑ים אֲדֻמִּ֔ים אֲדֻמִּ֥ים אֲדֻמָּ֜ה אָדֹ֔ם אָדֹ֖ם אדם אדמה אדמים הָאָדֹ֤ם הָאָדֹם֙ האדם וְאָד֔וֹם ואדום ’ā·ḏōm ’ă·ḏum·māh ’ă·ḏum·mîm ’āḏōm ’ăḏummāh ’ăḏummîm aDom adumMah adumMim hā’āḏōm hā·’ā·ḏōm haaDom veaDom wə’āḏōwm wə·’ā·ḏō·wm
Links
Interlinear Greek •
Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
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