Original Word: דָּרוֹם
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: darowm
Pronunciation: dah-ROHM
Phonetic Spelling: (daw-rome')
KJV: south
NASB: south
Word Origin: [of uncertain derivation]

1. the south
2. poet. the south wind

south

Of uncertain derivation; the south; poet. The south wind -- south.

Word Origin
from the same as deror
Definition
the south
NASB Translation
south (17).

דָּרוֺם noun masculine south (in poetry & late) (on formation compare Ol^{§ 216 a} Sta^{§ 295}) — דָּרוֺם Job 37:17 14t. + Ezekiel 40:27b; Ezekiel 40:28b (strike out ᵑ6 Co in Ezekiel 40:27b Ezekiel 40:27 b; AB ᵑ9 Co in Ezekiel 27b Ezekiel 40:28 b — south, Ezekiel 42:18 (over against קָדִים, צָפוֺן, יָם); 12 t. more in Ezekiel (of which Co strike out 2, compare above) Ezekiel 21:2 (= תֵּימָנָה and נֶגֶב); ׳דֶּרֶךְ הַדּ toward south Ezekiel 40:24 (twice in verse); Ezekiel 40:27, read also ׳דֶּרֶךְ הַדּ Ezekiel 42:10 for הַקָּדִים ׳ד ᵐ5 Ke Co; ׳שַׁעַר הַדּ south gate 40:[27]; Ezekiel 40:28 compare Co above, Ezekiel 40:44 (opposed to צפון; also קדים), Ezekiel 40:45 (opposed to צפון) Ezekiel 42:12 = ׳לַדָּ Ezekiel 41:11 (opposed to צפון), ׳לִשְׁכוֺת הד Ezekiel 42:13 (opposed to צפון). Elsewhere only Deuteronomy 33:23 ("" יַם), Job 37:17; Ecclesiastes 1:6; Ecclesiastes 11:3 (both opposed to צפון).

Meaning and Imagery

דָּרוֹם (darom) denotes “south,” “southward,” or “south wind.” In the geography of Israel, facing east placed the right hand toward the south; thus darom was naturally associated with midday heat, brightness, and aridity, but also with fruitfulness where moisture-laden winds blew inland from the Mediterranean.

Geographical Orientation in Daily Life

Ancient Israelite orientation relied on fixed points of creation. Because the sun rides the southern arc of the sky, darom became the reference for the hottest part of the day (Job 37:17). Travelers, farmers, and soldiers gauged time and direction by it. The cycling of the wind “southward and then northward” (Ecclesiastes 1:6) supplied empirical confirmation of the Creator’s ordered world.

Climate, Agriculture, and Providence

Darom could bring both blessing and hardship. Warm southern winds could help ripen crops, yet excessive heat threatened them. The Preacher notes that when a tree “falls to the south” it remains (Ecclesiastes 11:3), illustrating the irrevocability of God-ordained events. In the blessing of Naphtali, “May you possess the west and the south” (Deuteronomy 33:23), the direction signals expanded territory and abundant favor.

Instrument of Divine Warning

Ezekiel is commanded, “Turn your face toward the south and preach against it” (Ezekiel 20:46). The forest of the Negev (a southern region) symbolizes the covenant people exposed to a consuming fire of judgment. Darom here becomes the stage upon which the righteousness of God confronts disobedience.

Temple Architecture in Ezekiel’s Vision

Darom dominates Ezekiel 40–42, occurring ten times as the prophet is guided through the future temple:

• South-facing outer gate (Ezekiel 40:24)
• Corresponding inner gate (40:27)
• Detailed measurements of the south gate complex (40:28)
• Priestly chambers “that faces south” (40:45)
• South doorways of side rooms (41:11)
• South chambers reserved as “holy chambers” where priests eat the most holy offerings (42:13)
• Outer wall measured on the south side (42:18)

The repetition underscores precision, order, and accessibility. Worshippers will approach from every direction, yet the south receives special mention as fully integrated into the symmetry of God’s dwelling. No quarter of the compass is excluded from future holiness.

Symbolic Range

1. Heat and testing—Job’s garments grow hot beneath the south wind (Job 37:17); trials refine faith (1 Peter 1:7).
2. Constancy—A felled tree stays where it falls (Ecclesiastes 11:3); divine decrees stand immovable (Malachi 3:6).
3. Blessing—Naphtali’s inheritance extends southward (Deuteronomy 33:23); God’s grace enlarges boundaries (Ephesians 3:20).
4. Judgment—Prophesy toward the south (Ezekiel 20:46); warning precedes mercy (2 Peter 3:9).

Ministry Application

• Orientation: Just as the ancient temple was carefully aligned, local congregations benefit from intentional structure—clear pathways for worship, service, and outreach.
• Balance of mercy and judgment: Darom carries both the warmth of blessing and the blaze of discipline; preaching must reflect both aspects of God’s character.
• Global vision: The mention of every direction in Ezekiel’s temple foreshadows the Great Commission’s reach “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Evangelism must not neglect any “southern” region or people group.
• Perseverance under heat: Saints enduring the figurative south wind can trust the One who “appoints the wind” (Jonah 4:8) to accomplish His good purpose.

Eschatological Hope

Ezekiel’s south gate stands open in the millennial vision, inviting pilgrims to behold the glory of the LORD. The recurring darom assures believers that no place scorched by sin is beyond redemption. When the New Jerusalem descends, its gates will never be shut (Revelation 21:25); every compass point, including the south, will resound with everlasting praise.

בַּדָּר֖וֹם בדרום דָּר֑וֹם דָּר֔וֹם דרום הַדָּר֑וֹם הַדָּר֔וֹם הַדָּר֖וֹם הַדָּרוֹם֮ הדרום וְדָר֖וֹם ודרום לַדָּר֑וֹם לדרום מִדָּרֽוֹם׃ מדרום׃ bad·dā·rō·wm baddaRom baddārōwm dā·rō·wm daRom dārōwm had·dā·rō·wm haddaRom haddārōwm lad·dā·rō·wm laddaRom laddārōwm mid·dā·rō·wm middaRom middārōwm vedaRom wə·ḏā·rō·wm wəḏārōwmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts