עִיֵּי הָעֲבָרִים (iy.ye ha.a.va.rim)
iy.ye ha.a.va.rim
Iye-abarim
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The place name Iye-abarim, translating to "ruins of Abarim," marks a specific station in Israel’s wilderness journey. It appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both within the book of Numbers (21:11 and 33:47). The location is identified as being on the eastern border of Moab, serving as a waypoint before the people moved toward Mount Nebo.
The etymology suggests a connection to the Abarim mountain range. While some sources link it to a city in Judah with a similar name, the context in Numbers places it firmly in the Transjordan region during the conquest period. The term "ruins" may imply an older settlement that was already abandoned or desolate when Israel passed through, highlighting the contrast between the old Canaanite landscape and the new arrival of God’s people.
This brief mention underscores the precision of the biblical travelogue. By naming such a specific, seemingly minor location, the text grounds the narrative in real geography. It reminds readers that the journey to the Promised Land involved concrete steps through known territories, not just abstract spiritual movement.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Iye-abarim translates to "ruins of Abarim," marking a specific stop on Israel’s long journey through the wilderness. The name itself suggests a place of abandonment, an old settlement left behind as God’s people moved toward the land He promised them. This detail reminds us that our spiritual walks often pass through seasons where the past is clearly behind us, making room for what lies ahead.
These brief mentions in Numbers ground the biblical narrative in real geography. They show that God cares about the concrete details of our lives, not just abstract ideals. Even when we feel like we are wandering through empty or desolate places, we are moving under His guidance toward a specific destination. The journey matters as much as the arrival.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- at/ Iye2×
- <the>/ Abarim2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הָֽ/עֲבָרִ֗ים1×
- הָ/עֲבָרִ֖ים1×
- בְּ/עִיֵּ֥י1×
- בְּ/עִיֵּ֣י1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 21:11
They traveled from Oboth, and encamped at Iyeabarim, in the wilderness which is before Moab, toward the sunrise.
This verse establishes Iye-abarim as a distinct encampment site in the wilderness before Moab, highlighting its role as a waypoint in the broader travelogue.
-
Numbers 33:44
They traveled from Oboth, and encamped in Iye Abarim, in the border of Moab.
The repetition of this location in the summary list reinforces the precision of Israel's route and confirms its position on the border of Moab.