Blood (Dam)
דָּם (dam)
The life-fluid — sacred substance representing life, sacrifice, and covenant relationship.
Dam is the Hebrew word for blood, representing life itself. God declared 'the life of the flesh is in the blood,' establishing blood as the means of atonement — life given in place of life forfeited.
"For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls." — Leviticus 17:11 (KJV)
Key Verses
Leviticus 17:11
“For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls.”Read in context
Exodus 12:13
“And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you.”Read in context
Genesis 9:6
“Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.”Read in context
Strong's Concordance
Strong's H1818 — Blood (Dam) (דָּם (dam))
Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where דָּם (dam) appears.
Open Strong's H1818Etymology and Original Meaning
Dam means 'blood' — the red fluid of life. It is one of the most frequently occurring words in the Old Testament, reflecting the centrality of blood in Israel's theology and worship. Blood is not merely biological but deeply sacred — it represents life itself. Because life belongs to God, blood carries theological weight far beyond its physical properties.
The Sanctity of Blood
God prohibited consuming blood: 'The life of the flesh is in the blood' (Leviticus 17:11). After the flood, God commanded Noah, 'Flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat' (Genesis 9:4). Shedding human blood — murder — is an assault on the image of God (Genesis 9:6). Blood's sanctity reflects life's sanctity; treating blood carelessly means treating life carelessly.
Blood and Atonement
Leviticus 17:11 is the foundational theology of sacrifice: 'I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.' Blood on the altar represents life given in place of life forfeited by sin. The substitution is clear: the animal dies so the sinner lives. Every sacrifice pointed forward to Christ's final sacrifice.
Passover Blood
The Passover blood on Israel's doorposts is the Old Testament's most dramatic blood narrative (Exodus 12). 'When I see the blood, I will pass over you' (12:13). The blood was not a magic charm but a sign of obedient faith — Israel trusted God's word and applied the blood as directed. The destroyer passed over the blood-marked homes. This became the template for understanding Christ's atoning blood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is blood so important in the Old Testament?
Because 'the life of the flesh is in the blood' (Leviticus 17:11). Blood represents life itself, and God designated it as the means of atonement — life given in place of life forfeited by sin. Every sacrifice pointed to Christ's ultimate blood sacrifice.
What does Passover blood represent?
Passover blood (Exodus 12) represents God's provision of protection through substitutionary sacrifice. The lamb died so the firstborn lived. This foreshadows Christ — 'our Passover sacrificed for us' (1 Corinthians 5:7) — whose blood provides eternal protection.
What is the Hebrew word for "Blood (Dam)" in the Bible?
דָּם (dam), pronounced "DAHM." It means the life-fluid — sacred substance representing life, sacrifice, and covenant relationship. Its Strong's number is H1818. It is the word behind "Blood (Dam)" in the Old Testament, for example in Leviticus 17:11.
What does "Blood (Dam)" mean in the Bible?
The life-fluid — sacred substance representing life, sacrifice, and covenant relationship. The underlying Hebrew word is דָּם (dam) ("DAHM"), Strong's H1818. Dam is the Hebrew word for blood, representing life itself.
Related Words
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Blood (Dam) (דָּם (dam))
The life-fluid — sacred substance representing life, sacrifice, and covenant relationship.
Strong's H1818 — Blood (Dam)
דָּם (dam) • The life-fluid — sacred substance representing life, sacrifice, and covenant relationship.
Blood (דָּם (Dam) / αἷμα (Haima))
The life-force; symbol of atonement and covenant
Biblical Meaning of Blood in a Dream (KJV)
Life, atonement, and covenant with God.
The Blood of the Lamb
Revelation 12:11 — the saints overcome the accuser by the blood of the Lamb. Chr
Old Testament Quiz
From Genesis to Malachi — test your knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures.
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