אַדְמֹנִי
𐤀𐤃𐤌𐤍𐤉
ʼadmônîy
H132 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
A descriptor meaning 'reddish' or 'of a ruddy (earthy red-brown) complexion,' used as a physical characteristic to describe an individual's skin tone. Primarily applied in the narratives of Esau and David to describe their reddish-brown complexion.
Semantic Range
reddish-brown (of skin complexion), ruddy-complexioned, having earthy red-brown skin tone
Root / Etymology
From the root אָדַם (א־ד־ם), meaning 'to be red.' אַדְמֹנִי is a formation with the adjectival suffix -ִי, denoting possession of the quality; thus, it means 'reddish' or 'ruddy.' The word directly relates to the color red as observed in skin complexion, connected to אֲדָמָה (ground, soil), reflecting an earthy reddish-brown tone.
Historical & Contextual Notes
אַדְמֹנִי is used for Esau (Genesis 25:25) and David (1 Samuel 16:12; 17:42). In both cases the term simply describes the individual's appearance — an earthy reddish-brown complexion — without any implication that they looked different from their family or community. The text offers a straightforward physical description, not a contrast or distinction. Scripture never uses this term to describe hair color; in both passages the reference is to skin complexion. English translations often render the term as 'ruddy,' but this can obscure the earthy reddish-brown skin tone evident in the original Hebrew. The term carries no evaluative or moral connotations and serves as an objective descriptor. In post-biblical and rabbinic usage, the term persists in descriptive senses but is infrequent. Not to be confused with אָדָם ('Adam,' the archetypal human) even though the roots are related. The root connects to אֲדָמָה (earth, soil), reinforcing that the redness in view is earthy and brown-toned, not pale or pink.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or (fully) אַדְמוֹנִי ; from אָדַם; reddish (of the hair or the complexion); red, ruddy.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אדם (ʾ-d-m) — to be red, show redness
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1157 | בְּעַד | in the human being |
| H119 | אָדַם | they became red |
| H120 | אָדָם | human being |
| H121 | אָדָם | Adam |
| H122 | אָדֹם | reddish |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H132-01 |
אַדְמוֹנִ֔י | ademoni | HAamsa |
ruddy | reddish-complexioned | 2 |
H132-02 |
וְ/אַדְמֹנִ֖י | veademoni | HC/Aamsa |
and ruddy | reddish | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H132-01 |
Genesis 25:25 | אַדְמוֹנִ֔י | ademoni | HAamsa |
ruddy | reddish-complexioned |
H132-01 |
1 Samuel 16:12 | אַדְמוֹנִ֔י | ademoni | HAamsa |
ruddy | reddish-complexioned |
H132-02 |
1 Samuel 17:42 | וְ/אַדְמֹנִ֖י | veademoni | HC/Aamsa |
and ruddy | reddish |