פַּס דַּמִּים
𐤐𐤎 𐤃𐤌𐤉𐤌
Pas Damim
H6450 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A place-name meaning 'End(s)' or possibly 'Boundary' of Bloodshed, referring to a location associated with significant conflict or violence in ancient Israelite tradition (see 1 Chronicles 11:13 and 1 Samuel 17:1). The name carries connotations of the extremity, border, or perhaps even 'portion' related to blood, likely alluding to notable battles that occurred there.
Semantic Range
end of blood, boundary of blood, extremity of bloodshed, place of battle, region associated with conflict or loss of life
Root / Etymology
The term comes from the Hebrew פַּס (pas), which can mean 'end,' 'extremity,' 'border,' or in some contexts 'portion' or 'strip,' and דַּמִּים (dammîm), the plural of דָּם (dam, blood). Thus, פַּס דַּמִּים literally means 'end(s) of blood' or 'border of blood.' The construction and meaning parallel the alternative place-name אֶפֶס דַּמִּים (Ephes Dammim), with both names referencing bloodshed and possibly the outer reaches of a territory marked by conflict. The exact nuance of פַּס in the toponym is debated. Root for פַּס: פסס (to disappear, come to an end, be gone or limit), but the precise root in the context of the place-name is uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The place called Pas Dammim is mentioned in the account of David's warriors and the narrative of David and Goliath, designating a field or locale where Philistines camped and battles with Israelite forces occurred. The Hebrew Bible presents this place as a boundary or significant site of bloodshed, embedded in the wider narrative of conflict in the Shephelah between Philistine and Israelite groups. In translation traditions and later English Bibles, Pas Dammim and the related Ephes Dammim often appear as 'boundary of blood' or transliterated. Early English usage of 'Pas-dammim' or 'Ephes-dammim' as place-names does not fully convey the connotations of violence or extremity implied in the Hebrew. Comparative analysis with Ephes Dammim suggests the names refer either to the geographical borderlands between Philistine and Israelite territory or metaphorically to the site of much bloodshed.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from פַּס and the plural of דָּם; palm (i.e. dell) of bloodshed; Pas-Dammim, a place in Palestine; Pas-dammim. Compare אֶפֶס דַּמִּים.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
פסס (p-s-s) — end, cease, limit, boundary
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6446 | פַּס | the broad panels |
| H6447 | פַּס | palm-surface of |
| H6451 | פִּסָּה | handful of |
| H6461 | פָּסַס | they have vanished |
| H6462 | פִּסְפָּה | and Pisepah |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6450-02 |
דַּמִּ֗ים | damim | HNp |
Dammim | bloods | 1 |
H6450-01 |
בַּ/פַּ֣ס | bapas | HRd/Np |
at Pas | in the Boundary-of-Blood | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6450-01 |
1 Chronicles 11:13 | בַּ/פַּ֣ס | bapas | HRd/Np |
at Pas | in the Boundary-of-Blood |
H6450-02 |
1 Chronicles 11:13 | דַּמִּ֗ים | damim | HNp |
Dammim | bloods |