from עַיִן and גְּדִי; fountain of a kid; En-Gedi, a place in Palestine; En-gedi.
Transliteration:ʻÊyn Gedîy
Pronunciation:ane geh'-dee
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The lemma עֵין גֶּדִי (ʻÊyn Gedîy), transliterated as En-Gedi, is a compound geographical name. It is derived from two Hebrew words: עַיִן (ʻayin, `{{H5869}}`), meaning "eye," but commonly used in place names to denote a "spring" or "fountain," and גֶּדִי (gᵉdî, `{{H1423}}`), meaning "kid" or "young goat." Therefore, the literal and base meaning of En-Gedi is "fountain of a kid" or "spring of the kid." This name inherently describes a specific location characterized by a natural water source, likely one frequented by wild goats, particularly young ones. Its semantic range is primarily limited to its function as a proper noun for a significant geographical site in ancient Israel.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
En-Gedi appears in several key biblical texts, each shedding light on its geographical and strategic importance:
* **1 Samuel 23:29 (MT 24:1):** "Then David went up from there and stayed in the strongholds of En-Gedi." This verse marks En-Gedi as a secure refuge for David while he was fleeing from King Saul. The rugged terrain, caves, and access to water made it an ideal hiding place in the wilderness.
* **1 Samuel 24:1-2 (MT 24:2-3):** "Now when Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, 'Behold, David is in the wilderness of En-Gedi.' Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Rocks of the Wild Goats." This passage further underscores En-Gedi's character as a wild, mountainous region suitable for concealment. The "Rocks of the Wild Goats" (צֻרֵי הַיְּעֵלִים) is a fitting descriptor for the area, reinforcing the "kid" aspect of En-Gedi's name, likely referring to the agile ibexes common there.
* **2 Chronicles 20:2:** "Then some people came and told Jehoshaphat, 'A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (that is, En-Gedi).'" This verse identifies En-Gedi with the earlier name Hazazon-tamar, a place known for its palm trees. This indicates its strategic importance as an oasis and a potential staging ground or point of entry for invading armies, highlighting its location near the Dead Sea.
* **Song of Solomon 1:14:** "My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of En-Gedi." This poetic reference paints En-Gedi as a place of lushness, beauty, and fertility, specifically mentioning vineyards and fragrant plants. This contrasts with the surrounding desert and emphasizes the life-giving nature of its spring.
* **Ezekiel 47:10:** "And fishermen will stand beside it from En-Gedi to En-Eglaim; it will be a place for the spreading of nets. Its fish will be of very many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea." This powerful prophetic vision describes a future, miraculous transformation of the Dead Sea. Water flowing from the temple will make the Dead Sea fresh and teeming with fish, with En-Gedi marking one end of this revitalized aquatic landscape. This passage envisions En-Gedi as a boundary marker for an unimaginable future abundance.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **עַיִן (ʻayin, `{{H5869}}`):** The foundational element "spring," connecting En-Gedi to other biblical place names that include "En-" (e.g., En-rogel, En-dor), all signifying the presence of a vital water source in often arid regions.
* **גֶּדִי (gᵉdî, `{{H1423}}`):** "Kid" or "young goat," which grounds the name in the natural wildlife of the area, specifically the wild goats (ibexes) known to inhabit the cliffs and wadis around the spring.
* **Wilderness of Judah:** En-Gedi is located within this rugged and desolate region, a common biblical backdrop for narratives of refuge, testing, and divine sustenance.
* **Dead Sea:** Its proximity to the Dead Sea is crucial, especially in Ezekiel's prophecy, where En-Gedi becomes a symbol of the miraculous transformation from barrenness to life.
* **Hazazon-tamar:** The identification of En-Gedi with this earlier name in 2 Chronicles 20:2 highlights its long-standing significance and reinforces its character as an oasis ("tamar" meaning palm tree).
### Theological Significance
En-Gedi, as a "fountain of a kid" in the wilderness, carries significant theological weight. It serves as a powerful symbol of **divine provision and refuge** in harsh and challenging circumstances. For David, it was a place where God preserved his life and protected him from Saul, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His anointed. The very existence of a lush oasis in a desolate wilderness speaks to God's ability to sustain life where it seems impossible.
Furthermore, the prophetic vision in [[Ezekiel 47:10]] elevates En-Gedi to a symbol of **eschatological hope and radical transformation**. The image of fishermen standing from En-Gedi to En-Eglaim, with the Dead Sea teeming with life, dramatically contrasts the present barrenness of the region with a future state of unimaginable fertility and blessing. This symbolizes the life-giving power of God's presence (represented by the water flowing from the temple) to redeem and restore even the most desolate and lifeless parts of creation, bringing forth abundance and flourishing.
The poetic reference in [[Song of Solomon 1:14]] also subtly points to **beauty and delight as divine gifts**. Even in a world marked by wilderness, God provides pockets of exquisite beauty and fertility, reflecting His creative artistry and the potential for joy and love.
### Summary
עֵין גֶּדִי (ʻÊyn Gedîy), or En-Gedi, literally meaning "fountain of a kid," is a significant geographical location in the biblical narrative, characterized by a vital spring in the wilderness of Judah near the Dead Sea. It functioned as a strategic refuge for David when fleeing Saul [[1 Samuel 23:29]], a point of military importance [[2 Chronicles 20:2]], and a place of remarkable natural beauty and fertility [[Song of Solomon 1:14]]. Theologically, En-Gedi symbolizes God's unfailing provision and protection in desolate circumstances. Most profoundly, in Ezekiel's prophetic vision [[Ezekiel 47:10]], it marks the extent of a miraculous transformation of the Dead Sea into a thriving freshwater fishery, serving as a powerful emblem of God's ultimate redemptive power to bring abundant life and blessing to even the most barren and lifeless regions of creation. The name itself, combining עַיִן (`{{H5869}}`, "spring") and גֶּדִי (`{{H1423}}`, "kid"), aptly captures its essence as a life-sustaining oasis in a wild landscape.
TRV