Adummim
“Red ones or bloody place”
Summary
A pass on the road ascending from Jericho to Jerusalem, traditionally associated with the parable of the Good Samaritan due to its reputation as a place infested by robbers.
☩Location
Adummim marked a boundary point between the territories of Judah and Benjamin, specifically described as an ascending pass on the south side of the torrent gorge. It lay on the ancient road connecting Jericho and the Jordan valley with Jerusalem. The modern road still follows this route, ascending the steep terrain south of the Wady Kelt.
☩Name and Character
The name Adummim derives from a Hebrew word meaning "red ones," possibly referring to the reddish color of the rocks in this area, or perhaps from an ancient tribe of red-skinned inhabitants. Jerome associated the name with bloodshed, noting that the dangerous pass was notorious for robberies. The modern Arabic name, Talat ed-Dumm ("ascent of blood"), preserves this association. Because of its dangerous reputation, Christ is thought to have set the parable of the Good Samaritan on this very road.
☩Historical Notes
In Byzantine times, a fort and garrison was maintained here to protect travelers. Ruins of a Crusader-era castle and an inn called the "Samaritan's Khan" (believed to be the inn of the parable) were noted by later travelers. The road remained dangerous well into modern times, with travelers still reporting encounters with robbers.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Adummim," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Adummim," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).