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Adummim

ADUMMIM (a-dŭm'ĭm, Heb. ’ădhummîm, perhaps red spots). A pass, the ascent of Addummim, on the road between Jerusalem and Jericho (Josh.15.7; Josh.18.17). It was on the northern border of Judah and the southern border of Benjamin and is convincingly held to be the scene of Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke.10.30-Luke.10.35).

ADUMMIM ə dum’ ĭm (אֲדֻמִּ֔ים, perhaps meaning red rocks.) A pass about six m. SW of Jericho which was possibly used as a trade route at an early date. It leads from the Jordan Valley in the vicinity of Jericho to the hill country, including Jerusalem. It has continued as a part of the road between these two cities down to present times. It was a part of Judah’s northern boundary (Josh 15:7) and was used as a point of reference in establishing the location of Geliloth on Benjamin’s southern border (18:17).

Eusebius notes a Maledomni (from ma’alê-adum-mîm) while Jerome likewise lists Adommim as a stronghold midway between Jericho and Jerusalem. Today it is called the “Inn of the Good Samaritan” (Luke 10:34). The Arab. name for the pass is Tal’at ed-Damm, the ascent of blood. The reference is prob. to the red marl formations, not to the wounded traveler.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)

"The ascent of Adummim" is one of the numerous landmarks mentioned in defining the northern border of Judah westward from the mouth of the Jordan to Jerusalem, and in defining the southern border of Benjamin eastward from Jerusalem to the mouth of the Jordan (Jos 15:7; 18:17). It is identified with the gorge part of the road from Jericho up to Jerusalem. Its present name is Tala`at-ed-Dumm, "ascent of blood." The stone is marked by "curious red streaks," a phenomenon which probably accounts for both the ancient and the modern names, and for other similar names which have been applied to the locality. It is the scene of our Saviour’s story of the Good Samaritan, and tradition of course locates the inn to which the Samaritan brought the wounded man (see HGHL, 265).

Willis J. Beecher