ADUMMIM Sept. 'ASce/.4alv ; various readings are 'Mon/44, ''ABogi.41, and 'ESmafµ), a place which is only twice named in Scripture. The first instance is Josh. xv. 7, where, from the context, it seems to indicate th e bo rder between Judah and Benjamin, and that it was an ascending road (m-IN ;63M) between Gilgal (and also Jericho) and Jerusalem. The second notice (Josh. xviii. 17) adds no further information, hut repeats 'the ascent to Adummim.' Most commentators take the name to mean the place of blood (from the Heb. VI), and follow Jerome, who finds the place in the dangerous or mountainous part of the road between Jerusalem and Jericho, and supposes that it was so called from the ?requent effusion of blood by the robbers, by whom it was much in fested. In his time it was called Maledontim ; in Greek, apcfpaals 71-150wv; in Latin Ascensus ruforum sive rubentium. These are curious in terpretations of the original word, which is most likely from DIN, and merely denotes the redness of the soil or rock, though this must be regarded only as a probable conjecture. [Stanley (Sin. and Pal. p. 424) suggests that the name is derived from some tribe of red men, the early occupants of the district. This is more probable, as the rocks there are of white limestone.] In all ages probably it was the resort of robbers ; indeed, the character of the road was so notorious, that Christ lays the scene of the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke x.) upon it ; and Jerome informs us that Adummim
or Adommim was believed to be the place where the traveller (taken as a real person) fell among thieves.' He adds that a fort and garrison was maintained here for the safeguard of travellers (in Loc. Heb. ADDOMIM, et in Epit. Paul•). In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the ruins of a castle, supposed to be the same as that mentioned by Jerome, remained (Zuallart. iv. 3o ; but Nau (Voyage Nouveau de la Terre Sainte, p. 349) per. ceived that this castle belonged to the time of the Crusades. Near this spot was a khan, called the Samaritan's khan' (le AU!: du Samaritan!), in the belief that it was the inn' to which the Sama ritan brought the wounded traveller. The travel lers of the present century mention the spot and neighbourhood nearly in the same terms as those of older date ; and describe the ruins as those of a convent and a khan' (Hardy, 193). They all represent the road as still infested by robbers, from whom some of them (as Sir F. Henniker) have not escaped without danger. The place thus indicated is about eight miles from Jerusalem, and four from Jericho.—J. K.