Definition and Etymology:
Akeldama, also known as the "Field of Blood," is a location in Jerusalem associated with the betrayal and death of Judas Iscariot. The name "Akeldama" is derived from the Aramaic words "ḥăqēl dĕmā'," which translate to "field of blood." This name reflects the field's association with the blood money paid to Judas for betraying Jesus Christ.

Biblical References:
The primary biblical reference to Akeldama is found in the Book of Acts. In Acts 1:18-19 , it is written: "With the reward for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; and there he fell headlong and burst open in the middle, and all his intestines spilled out. This became known to all the residents of Jerusalem, so they called that field in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood."

Additionally, the Gospel of Matthew provides context for the purchase of the field. Matthew 27:3-8 describes how Judas, filled with remorse, returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, declaring, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." The priests, deeming the money as blood money, used it to buy the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners, which came to be known as the Field of Blood.

Historical and Theological Significance:
Akeldama holds significant historical and theological importance as it is directly linked to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and the events surrounding the Passion of Christ. The purchase of the field with the blood money is seen as a fulfillment of the prophecy found in Zechariah 11:12-13, which speaks of thirty pieces of silver and the potter's field.

Theologically, Akeldama serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and betrayal. Judas's tragic end and the subsequent use of the blood money highlight the gravity of his actions and the fulfillment of divine justice. The field's association with death and burial further underscores the themes of judgment and redemption that permeate the narrative of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection.

Location and Archaeology:
Traditionally, Akeldama is located in the Hinnom Valley, south of Jerusalem. This area has been associated with burial grounds and has a long history of being considered a place of defilement and judgment, as seen in its connection to the Valley of Hinnom (Gehenna), which was used as a metaphor for hell in Jewish and Christian thought.

Archaeological investigations in the region have uncovered ancient tombs and burial sites, lending credence to the biblical account of the field being used as a burial place for foreigners. The site remains a point of interest for biblical scholars and archaeologists seeking to understand the historical context of the New Testament events.

Cultural Impact:
Akeldama has left a lasting impact on Christian art, literature, and tradition. It serves as a powerful symbol of betrayal and the price of sin, often depicted in artistic representations of the Passion narrative. The account of Judas and the Field of Blood continues to resonate with believers as a cautionary tale and a testament to the redemptive power of Christ's sacrifice.Akeldama

Revised Version of (Acts 1:19) for ACELDAMA.

AKELDAMA

a-kel'-da-ma (Akeldama, or, in many manuscripts, Akeldamach; the King James Version, Aceldama): A field said in Acts 1:19 to have been bought by Judas with the "thirty pieces of silver." In Matthew 27:6, 7 it is narrated that the priests took the silver pieces which Judas had "cast down. into the sanctuary" and "bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day." Doubtless it was a supposed connection between this potter's field and the potter's house (Jeremiah 18:2) and the Valley of the Son of Hinnom (Jeremiah 19:2) which influenced the selection of the present site which, like the Aramaic h-q-l-d-m-' (Dalman), is today known as haqq-ed-dumm, "field of blood."

Tradition, which appears to go back to the 4th century, points to a level platform on, and some distance up, the southern slope of the Wady er Rababi (Valley of Hinnom) just before it joins the Kidron Valley. Upon this spot there is a very remarkable ruin (78 ft. x 57 ft.) which for many centuries was used as a charnel house. The earth here was reputed to have the property of quickly consuming dead bodies. So great was its reputation that vast quantities of it are said to have been transported in 1215 A.D. to the Campo Santo at Pisa.

When this building was standing entire, the bodies were lowered into it through five openings in the roof and then left to disintegrate, so that a few years ago there were very many feet of bones all over the floor. These have now been removed. A little Southeast of this ruin is a new Greek monastery erected in recent years over the remains of a large number of cave tombs; many of the bones from "Akeldama" are now buried here.

E. W. G. Masterman

184. Hakeldamach -- Hakeldama, a field appar. located south of the ...
... Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration: Hakeldamach Phonetic
Spelling: (ak-el-dam-ah') Short Definition: Akeldama Definition: Akeldama (in ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/184.htm - 6k

Remorse and Suicide of Judas.
... and all his bowels gushed out.19 And it became known to all the dwellers at Jerusalem;
insomuch that in their language that field was called Akeldama, that is ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxii remorse and suicide of.htm

Britain's Mercies, and Britain's Duty
... So that if the Lord had not been on our side, Great Britain, not to say America,
would, in a few weeks or months, have been an Akeldama, a field of blood. ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/britains mercies and britains duty.htm

Leadership for Service
... And it became known to all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch that in their language
that field was called Akeldama, that is, The field of blood.) For it is ...
/.../the social principles of jesus/chapter vii leadership for service.htm

Akeldama (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia AKELDAMA. a-kel'-da ... now buried here. EWG
Masterman. Multi-Version Concordance Akeldama (1 Occurrence). ...
/a/akeldama.htm - 8k

Topheth (9 Occurrences)
... The site of this shameful place would seem to have been either at the lower end
of the Valley of Hinnom (see HINNOM, VALLEY OF), near where Akeldama is now ...
/t/topheth.htm - 11k

Akatan

/a/akatan.htm - 6k

Akel'dama (1 Occurrence)
Akel'dama. Akeldama, Akel'dama. Akel-dama . Multi-Version Concordance
Akel'dama (1 Occurrence). ... Akeldama, Akel'dama. Akel-dama . Reference Bible.
/a/akel'dama.htm - 6k

Hakeldama (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 1:19 It became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem that in their language
that field was called'Akeldama,' that is,'The field of blood.' (See NAS). ...
/h/hakeldama.htm - 6k

Hinnom (11 Occurrences)
... A little before the valley joins the wide Kidron valley lies the traditional site
of AKELDAMA (which see). EWG Masterman. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/h/hinnom.htm - 18k

Valley (187 Occurrences)
... A little before the valley joins the wide Kidron valley lies the traditional site
of AKELDAMA (which see). EWG Masterman. JEHOSHAPHAT, VALLEY OF. ...
/v/valley.htm - 75k

Field (390 Occurrences)
... Acts 1:19 It became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem that in their language
that field was called'Akeldama,' that is,'The field of blood.' (WEB KJV WEY ...
/f/field.htm - 44k

Aceldama (1 Occurrence)
... Fig.: A field of bloodshed. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ACELDAMA.
a-sel'-da-ma. See AKELDAMA. Multi-Version Concordance Aceldama (1 Occurrence). ...
/a/aceldama.htm - 7k

Blood (435 Occurrences)
... Acts 1:19 It became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem that in their language
that field was called'Akeldama,' that is,'The field of blood.' (WEB KJV WEY ...
/b/blood.htm - 54k

How did Judas die? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Judas Iscariot? | GotQuestions.org

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