Aceldama

Also A·kel·da·ma

[uh-sel-duh-muh, uh-kel-]

noun

1. (in the Bible) the place near Jerusalem purchased with the bribe Judas took for betraying Jesus.

2. any place of slaughter and bloodshed.

Aceldama

/ əˈsɛldəmə /

noun

1. New Testament the place near Jerusalem that was bought with the 30 pieces of silver paid to Judas for betraying Jesus (Matthew 27:8; Acts 1:19)

Word History and Origins

Origin of Aceldama¹

From Latin, from Greek Akeldamá, from Aramaic ḥăgēl dəmā “field of blood”

Word History and Origins

Origin of Aceldama¹

C14: from Aramaic haqēl demā field of blood

Example Sentences

The system of warfare… which had already converted immense tracts into one universal aceldama.

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From this time, this field was called "Aceldama," a Hebrew word, meaning the Field of Blood: now the Christians in those parts call it "the holy field."

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From this gentleman, apparently because he was his father's son, and for no better reason, Jeffreys under threat of the gallows extorted �15,000, and he bought with the money an estate "to which," Lord Macaulay tells us, "the people gave the name of Aceldama, from that accursed field which was purchased with the price of innocent blood."

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Aceldama, a-sel′da-ma, n. a field of blood—the name given to the field outside Jerusalem bought with the blood-money of Jesus.

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To the trumpet's blare, And paweth the earth's Aceldama?

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