עֵינָם (e.na.yim)
e.na.yim
Enaim
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The word Enam refers to a specific location in the Shephelah, the lowland region of Judah. It appears only three times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily within the list of cities assigned to the tribe of Judah in Joshua 15:34. The name itself translates to "double spring," suggesting the settlement was defined by its water sources.
Lexical sources identify Enam as a place of practical significance rather than narrative prominence. Its mention serves to mark the boundaries and inheritance of the tribe, grounding the biblical geography in tangible features like springs. This usage highlights how ancient Israelite identity was tied to specific, named places within their land.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Enaim means "double spring," a name that tells us this place was defined by its water sources. In Joshua 15:34, it appears in a list of cities given to Judah. This simple mention shows how the land was divided and settled, grounding the people's identity in specific places with clear resources.
We also see Enaim in Genesis 38, where Tamar waits at the gate near the road to Timnah. Here, the location is not just a dot on a map but a real setting for human decisions and divine providence. The name reminds us that God provides for His people in tangible ways, even in ordinary places.
For your faith, this word highlights how God cares about the details of life. Whether it is land distribution or personal journeys, He is present in the specific moments and places we inhabit. Trust that He knows your location and your needs, just as He knew Enaim.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ <the>/ Enam1×
- [was] at <the>/ Enaim1×
- Enaim1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עֵינַ֔יִם1×
- וְ/הָ/עֵינָֽם\׃1×
- בָ/עֵינַ֖יִם1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 38:14
She took off the garments of her widowhood, and covered herself with her veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gate of Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she wasn’t given to him as a wife.
This verse shows Enaim as a real place where Tamar waited, highlighting its role in the narrative of Judah's family.
-
Genesis 38:21
Then he asked the men of her place, saying, “Where is the prostitute, that was at Enaim by the road?” They said, “There has been no prostitute here.”
Here the location is referenced again, showing how it was known to the locals and central to the unfolding events.
-
Joshua 15:34
Zanoah, En Gannim, Tappuah, Enam,
This occurrence places Enaim within the tribal inheritance of Judah, emphasizing its significance in the settlement of the land.