The meaning of “דָּם”
Understanding dâm reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), [phrase] innocent. - blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal...
דָּם
blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), [phrase] innocent. - blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal - by analogy, the juice of the grape - figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshed (i.e. drops of blood) 1) blood 1a) of wine (fig.)
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 37:22 | “And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.” Word: דָּם (dâm) | |
| Joshua 20:5 | “And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbour unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime.” Word: דָּם (dâm) | |
| 2 Kings 9:33 | “And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down: and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he trode her under foot.” Word: דָּם (dâm) | |
| Proverbs 6:17 | “A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,” Word: דָּם (dâm) | |
| Hosea 6:8 | “Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity, and is polluted with blood.” Word: דָּם (dâm) |
Usage Statistics
Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.
Theological Word Study: Blood
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: Blood
The Hebrew dam (דָּם) means blood—representing life itself. 'The life of the flesh is in the blood' (Leviticus 17:11), and blood was required for atonement, foreshadowing Christ's sacrifice.
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Blood
The Greek haima (αἷμα) denotes blood. Christ's blood 'cleanseth us from all sin' (1 John 1:7), securing 'eternal redemption' (Hebrews 9:12) through His once-for-all sacrifice. Believers have been 'purchased with his own blood' (Acts 20:28).