עֵין גֶּ֫דִי (en ge.di)
en ge.di
Engedi
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
En-gedi, meaning "spring of the young goat," was a settlement located in the wilderness of Judah on the western shore of the Dead Sea. The name reflects its defining feature: a reliable water source in an otherwise arid landscape. This oasis made it a significant landmark for travelers and inhabitants alike, providing life-sustaining resources in a harsh environment.
The town appears in three biblical passages, notably in Joshua 15:62 as part of the tribal allotment for Judah and in 2 Chronicles 20:2 during King Jehoshaphat’s campaign. It is also mentioned in Song of Solomon 1:14, where it symbolizes a place of beauty and intimacy. Some scholars link En-gedi to Hazazon-tamar, described in 2 Chronicles 20:28 as a fortified city, suggesting its strategic importance.
En-gedi’s significance lies not only in its geography but also in its role as a symbol of God’s provision. In the Song of Solomon, it represents a setting of love and natural splendor, while in historical narratives, it underscores the faithfulness of God to sustain His people even in desolate places.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Engedi, meaning 'spring of the young goat,' was an oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea. In a landscape defined by dryness and heat, this place offered reliable water and shade. It stands as a quiet reminder that God provides sustenance even in the most barren circumstances.
In Scripture, Engedi appears in historical records of Judah’s territory and in the Song of Solomon as a setting of beauty. The imagery of henna blossoms there suggests that God’s provision is not just about survival but also about delight. Where life seems scarce, His care often brings unexpected richness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Gedi3×
- and/ En1×
- [is] En1×
- En1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עֵ֥ין2×
- וְ/עֵ֣ין1×
- גֶּֽדִי\׃\ \ס1×
- גֶּֽדִי\׃1×
- גֶּ֑דִי1×
Key Verses
-
Song of Solomon 1:14
My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms from the vineyards of En Gedi.
This verse uses Engedi to symbolize intimate beauty and God’s provision of delight in the midst of nature.
-
Joshua 15:62
Nibshan, the City of Salt, and En Gedi; six cities with their villages.
Engedi is listed among Judah’s cities, showing its established role as a settled place within God’s allotted inheritance.
-
II Chronicles 20:2
Then some came who told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea from Syria. Behold, they are in Hazazon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi).
Here Engedi (Hazazon Tamar) serves as a strategic landmark where Jehoshaphat faced a great threat, highlighting the region’s historical significance.