עֵין גַּנִּים (en gan.nim)
en gan.nim
En-gannim
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The name En-gannim, meaning "fountain of the garden," identifies a specific location in the biblical landscape. It appears only three times in Scripture, primarily within the book of Joshua where tribal boundaries and land allocations are recorded. The sources describe it as a city situated in the Shephelah, the lowland region between the coastal plain and the Judean hills.
Geographically, this place is noted for its position on the border of the tribe of Issachar. It was allotted to the Gershonite Levites, indicating its role as a settlement for those dedicated to religious service rather than agricultural or military leadership. The text also links En-gannim with another site called Anem, suggesting they were closely associated towns in this district.
Understanding this word requires focusing on its geographical and administrative context rather than theological symbolism. It serves as a marker of where the Levites lived within the broader territory of Israel. The mention of a "fountain" highlights the importance of water sources for sustaining life in these lowland settlements, while "garden" points to cultivated land nearby.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
En-gannim means "fountain of the garden." This name appears only three times in the Bible, all within the book of Joshua. It marks a specific place where water and fertile land met, providing for those who lived there.
The tribe of Issachar received this town as part of their inheritance. Later, it was given to the Levites, the family set apart for temple service. This shows that God provided for His servants in practical ways, giving them homes near reliable water sources.
While we do not visit this place today, its story reminds us that God cares about where we live and work. He provides for our daily needs just as He did for the ancient Israelites. We can trust Him to sustain us in our own seasons of life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Gannim3×
- and/ En2×
- En1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עֵ֥ין1×
- וְ/עֵין\־1×
- וְ/עֵ֣ין1×
- גַּנִּ֛ים1×
- גַּנִּ֖ים1×
- גַּנִּ֔ים1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 15:34
Zanoah, En Gannim, Tappuah, Enam,
This verse lists En-gannim among the towns allotted to Judah, showing its initial place within the broader tribal boundaries before being reassigned.
-
Joshua 19:21
Remeth, Engannim, En Haddah, and Beth Pazzez.
Here Engannim is listed as part of the inheritance for Issachar, highlighting its role in settling the northern tribes in their promised land.
-
Joshua 21:29
Jarmuth with its pasture lands, En Gannim with its pasture lands: four cities.
This occurrence specifies that En-gannim was given to the Levites with pasture lands, underscoring God's provision for those dedicated to religious service.