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עֲדִיתַיִם

𐤏𐤃𐤉𐤕𐤉𐤌

Aditayim

H5723 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Adithaim; a place name referring to a settlement or locality mentioned in the territorial lists of southern Judah, likely indicating a 'double Adith', 'double slopes', or 'double prey' based on uncertain etymology. The term is used as a proper noun for a specific geographical location, not as a common noun.

Semantic Range

proper noun (place name), possibly 'double slopes', 'double ornament', or 'double prey' (folk etymology); only attested referring to a settlement in Judah

Root / Etymology

Derived as a dual form of עֲדִית (feminine form of עַד); the precise root meaning is uncertain but may relate to the root ע-ד meaning 'ornament', 'prey', or 'slope'. The dual ending suggests a feature relating to 'double' or 'twofold' aspects, possibly referencing topography (e.g., twin hills or valleys) or some notable characteristic of the site. The formation is unique among biblical place names.

Historical & Contextual Notes

עֲדִיתַיִם occurs in the list of Judahite towns in Joshua 15:36. Its dual form is uncommon for place names, hinting at a location characterized by a pair of prominent features or a double settlement. The underlying noun עֲדִית appears otherwise only in place names. Standard English translations often render the name as 'Adithaim' without explanation. The region is part of southern Judah, and its precise site is debated or lost, not identifiable with any settler group or known population after the exilic period. Some translation traditions, such as the Septuagint, simply transliterate the name. There is no basis for applying later terms such as 'Jew' to its inhabitants; at the time of Joshua, the local population would be properly described as Judahite or southern Israelites. The strong KJV gloss 'double prey' is based on folk etymology and not on securely established lexical evidence.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

dual of a feminine of עַד; double prey; Adithajim, a place in Palestine; Adithaim.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

עדה (Maaday) — to adorn, to decorate, to ornament

Root עדה uncertain, possibly 'ornament', 'prey', 'to pass by'
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4572 מַעֲדַי Adorned One
H4573 מַעֲדְיָה Yahweh-is-Ornament
H5709 עֲדָא appointed assembly of
H5710 עָדָה Adorned One
H5711 עָדָה Adorned One

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H5723-01 וַ/עֲדִיתַ֔יִם vaaditayim HC/Np and Adithaim Double-Adith and Aditayim 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H5723-01 Joshua 15:36 וַ/עֲדִיתַ֔יִם vaaditayim HC/Np and Adithaim Double-Adith and Aditayim
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