דֹּמֶן
𐤃𐤌𐤍
dômen
H1828 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Organic waste matter, particularly animal excrement (manure), used primarily as fertilizer or as a metaphor for worthlessness or impurity in some contexts. Most often refers to decomposed, decaying material, especially that produced by animals.
Semantic Range
manure, dung, excrement, fertilizer (from decomposed animal waste), refuse (figuratively), impure or disgraceful remains
Root / Etymology
Root uncertain. The term דֹּמֶן may be related to a verbal or nominal root associated with decay or rotting organic matter, but no direct root is attested in Biblical Hebrew. Some lexicographers have suggested a connection to the cognate roots in related Semitic languages, but this remains speculative.
Historical & Contextual Notes
דֹּמֶן appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible (notably in 2 Kings 9:37 and Zephaniah 1:17), and there is no evidence that it was used as a general term for refuse. In the texts where דֹּמֶן appears, it describes the ultimate impurity or disgrace, often in highly graphic or poetic contexts. The term refers specifically to dung primarily in the context of animal excrement, especially when used for fertilizing fields, but also in a metaphorical sense for something utterly defiled or abject. Later translation traditions at times render it as 'dung' or 'manure,' but English readings such as 'filth' can obscure the more precisely organic or agricultural nuance—namely, that it is decomposed excrement used for fertilizing. Its infrequent and vivid usage distinguishes it from more common terms like פֶּרֶשׁ (peresh), which refers to droppings or offal, especially in association with temple sacrifices. The word's limited biblical attestation makes it difficult to trace substantial semantic development across periods, though it retains strong negative connotations in the post-exilic period.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of uncertain derivation; manure; dung.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
דמן (d-m-n) — decay, rot, organic waste
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1829 | דִּמְנָה | Manure-Mound |
| H4086 | מַדְמֵן | Manure-Place |
| H4087 | מַדְמֵנָה | Dung-Heap Town |
| H4088 | מַדְמֵנָה | Dung-Heap Place |
| H4089 | מַדְמַנָּה | Dung-Heap Settlement |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1828-03 |
לְ/דֹ֛מֶן | ledomen | HR/Ncmsa |
for-dung | for manure | 3 |
H1828-02 |
כְּ/דֹ֛מֶן | kedomen | HR/Ncmsa |
like dung | like rotted manure | 2 |
H1828-01 |
דֹּ֝֗מֶן | domen | HNcmsa |
dung | decayed manure | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1828-02 |
2 Kings 9:37 | כְּ/דֹ֛מֶן | kedomen | HR/Ncmsa |
like-dung | like rotted manure |
H1828-03 |
Jeremiah 8:2 | לְ/דֹ֛מֶן | ledomen | HR/Ncmsa |
for-dung | for manure |
H1828-02 |
Jeremiah 9:21 | כְּ/דֹ֖מֶן | kedomen | HR/Ncmsa |
like dung | like rotted manure |
H1828-03 |
Jeremiah 16:4 | לְ/דֹ֛מֶן | ledomen | HR/Ncmsa |
for-dung | for manure |
H1828-03 |
Jeremiah 25:33 | לְ/דֹ֛מֶן | ledomen | HR/Ncmsa |
for dung | for manure |
H1828-01 |
Psalms 83:11 | דֹּ֝֗מֶן | domen | HNcmsa |
dung | decayed manure |