Adummim was a marked ascent or pass on the road between Jericho and Jerusalem, identified with the gorge near the Wady Kelt. Its name refers to reddish ground or stones.
Definition
Adummim, meaning “the red ones” or associated with an ascent, was a marked pass on the road from Jericho and the Jordan valley up toward Jerusalem. It served as a landmark in defining the borders of Judah and Benjamin.
Biblical Usage
Adummim is mentioned in the descriptions of the northern border of Judah and the southern border of Benjamin. The gorge is also identified with the setting of Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan.
Historical Background
The place is commonly identified with Tala`at-ed-Dumm, the gorge on the south side of Wady Kelt. Curious red streaks in the stone probably account for both the ancient and modern names.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The red ones, a place apparently on the road between Jericho and Jerusalem, “on the south side of the torrent” Wady Kelt, looking toward Gilgal, mentioned Josh. 15:7; 18:17. It was nearly half-way between Jerusalem and Jericho, and now bears the name of Tal-at-ed-Dumm. It is supposed to have been the place referred to in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37). Recently a new carriage-road has been completed, and carriages for the first time have come along this road from Jerusalem.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(the going up to), a rising ground or pass over against Gilgal,” and “on the south side of the ’torrent’” (Joshua 15:7; 18:17) which is the position still occupied by the road leading up from Jericho and the Jordan valley to Jerusalem, on the south face of the gorge of the Wady Kelt. (Luke 10:30-36)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>a-dum'-im ('adhummim, perhaps "red spots"): "The ascent of Adummim" is one of the numerous landmarks mentioned in defining the northern border of Judah westward from the mouth of the Jordan to Jerusalem, and in defining the southern border of Benjamin eastward from Jerusalem to the mouth of the Jordan (Jos 15:7; 18:17). It is identified with the gorge part of the road from Jericho up to Jerusalem. Its present name is Tala`at-ed-Dumm, "ascent of blood." The stone is marked by "curious red streaks," a phenomenon which probably accounts for both the ancient and the modern names, and for other similar names which have been applied to the locality. It is the scene of our Saviour's story of the Good Samaritan, and tradition of course locates the inn to which the Samaritan brought the wounded man (see HGHL, 265).</p><p>Willis J. Beecher</p>