from עַיִן and the active participle of קָרָא; fountain of One calling; En-hak-Kore, a place near Palestine; En-hakhore.
Transliteration:ʻÊyn haq-Qôwrêʼ
Pronunciation:ane-hak-ko-ray'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma עֵין הַקּוֹרֵא (ʻÊyn haq-Qôwrêʼ), transliterated as En-hak-Kore, is a compound geographical name derived from two distinct elements: עַיִן (ʻayin) and the active participle of the verb קָרָא (qaraʼ). The term עַיִן `{{H5869}}` fundamentally denotes "eye," but in a topographical context, it consistently refers to a "spring," "fountain," or "wellspring," indicating a natural source of water. The verb קָרָא `{{H7121}}` carries a broad semantic range, including "to call," "to cry out," "to proclaim," or "to summon." When combined with the definite article and functioning as an active participle, הַקּוֹרֵא (haq-Qôwrêʼ) signifies "the one calling" or "the caller."
Therefore, the most direct and literal translation of עֵין הַקּוֹרֵא is "Fountain of the One Calling" or "Spring of the Caller." This unique appellation immediately suggests a specific origin story tied to a significant cry or invocation, marking the location as a perpetual memorial to that event. It is not merely a descriptive name for a spring, but one imbued with historical and theological significance, linking the water source directly to an act of human calling.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name עֵין הַקּוֹרֵא (En-hak-Kore) appears only once in the entire biblical corpus, specifically in the book of Judges:
* **[[Judges 15:19]]**: "But God split open the hollow place that was at Lehi, and water came out from it. And when he drank, his spirit returned, and he revived. Therefore the name of it was called En-hak-Kore to this day, which is at Lehi."
This singular occurrence is profoundly significant as it provides the precise etiological narrative for the spring's name. The context is Samson's desperate situation after his mighty victory over the Philistines at Lehi, where he slew a thousand men with the jawbone of a donkey. Despite his superhuman strength and divine empowerment for battle, Samson found himself utterly exhausted and on the verge of death from extreme thirst. In this moment of acute physical distress, he "called out to the Lord" (וַיִּקְרָא אֶל־יְהוָה, *wayyiqrāʾ ʾel-YHWH*). In response to Samson's desperate cry, God miraculously provided water from a cleft in the ground at Lehi. The spring that emerged was subsequently named En-hak-Kore, literally "the fountain of the one who called," commemorating Samson's prayer and God's immediate, life-sustaining answer.
The passage highlights the stark contrast between Samson's immense physical prowess in battle and his profound vulnerability to basic human needs, underscoring his complete dependence on God for survival. The naming of the spring serves as a tangible, enduring monument to this divine intervention, a place where God's faithfulness in answering the cry of His servant was made manifest.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of עֵין הַקּוֹרֵא (En-hak-Kore) naturally connects to several related Hebrew words and theological concepts:
* **עַיִן (ʻayin) `{{H5869}}`**: As the first component of the name, "spring" or "fountain" is central. This word frequently appears in the biblical narrative to denote vital water sources in an arid land, often symbolizing life, refreshment, and divine provision (e.g., [[Genesis 16:7]], [[Exodus 15:27]]).
* **קָרָא (qaraʼ) `{{H7121}}`**: The verb "to call" is the semantic heart of the name. In its various forms, it signifies calling upon God in prayer or supplication (e.g., [[Psalm 145:18]], [[Joel 2:32]]), a divine summons (e.g., [[Exodus 3:4]]), or a public proclamation. In [[Judges 15:18]], Samson's "calling out" is a direct act of desperate prayer.
* **צָמֵא (tsameʼ) `{{H6770}}`**: "To thirst." This word describes Samson's immediate physical need that prompted his cry, emphasizing the severity of his distress and the miraculous nature of God's intervention.
* **יְהוָה (YHWH) `{{H3068}}`**: The divine name, "the Lord," to whom Samson directed his desperate plea. This highlights the personal and relational aspect of God's responsiveness.
* **Miraculous Provision**: The event at En-hak-Kore echoes other instances of God providing water in the wilderness for His people, such as the water from the rock at Rephidim ([[Exodus 17:6]]) or Marah ([[Exodus 15:25]]). These narratives collectively demonstrate God's power to sustain life in impossible circumstances and His attentiveness to the needs of His servants.
* **Etiological Naming**: The practice of naming places after significant events or individuals is common in the Bible. En-hak-Kore is a prime example, where the name itself functions as a permanent record of a divine encounter and a human cry.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of עֵין הַקּוֹרֵא (En-hak-Kore) is profound, extending beyond a mere geographical marker to embody key truths about God's character and His relationship with humanity:
1. **God's Responsiveness to Desperate Prayer**: The most salient theological point is God's immediate and miraculous answer to Samson's cry. Even after Samson's great victory, he was utterly dependent on God for basic survival. His prayer was not one of triumph but of profound vulnerability and need. En-hak-Kore stands as a perpetual testament to the truth that God hears and responds to the desperate cries of His children, especially in moments of extreme weakness or peril. It underscores the accessibility of God to those who call upon Him in truth.
2. **Divine Provision in Human Weakness**: The incident at En-hak-Kore illustrates that God's provision often manifests precisely where human strength ends. Samson, the embodiment of Israel's strength, was brought low by thirst, demonstrating that even the mightiest among us are ultimately dependent on divine sustenance. This spring serves as a powerful reminder that God is the ultimate source of all life and provision, meeting fundamental needs in unexpected ways.
3. **The Memorialization of Divine Grace**: The naming of the spring ensures that the event of God's miraculous intervention is not forgotten. It serves as a tangible, geographical memorial to God's grace and faithfulness. Every time the spring was mentioned, it would recall the story of Samson's cry and God's life-giving response, reinforcing the Lord's covenantal care for His people.
4. **Symbolism of Water**: In biblical theology, water is a powerful symbol of life, cleansing, and spiritual refreshment. The miraculous gushing of water at En-hak-Kore not only quenched Samson's physical thirst but also symbolized divine revitalization and renewal. It points to a deeper spiritual truth about God as the "fountain of living waters" ([[Jeremiah 2:13]]) who provides spiritual sustenance to those who thirst for Him.
### Summary
עֵין הַקּוֹרֵא (ʻÊyn haq-Qôwrêʼ), "Fountain of the One Calling," is a unique and deeply significant place name found only once in the biblical narrative at [[Judges 15:19]]. Its etymology, derived from "spring" (עַיִן `{{H5869}}`) and "the one calling" (from קָרָא `{{H7121}}`), directly links the location to a specific, desperate cry. The context reveals this cry to be Samson's prayer to the Lord (יְהוָה `{{H3068}}`) in his moment of extreme thirst after his victory over the Philistines at Lehi. In response, God miraculously provided water from a cleft in the ground, and the spring was named to commemorate this divine intervention.
The theological significance of En-hak-Kore is profound: it stands as an enduring testament to God's responsiveness to the desperate prayers of His servants, His faithful provision in moments of human weakness, and His ability to sustain life in miraculous ways. It memorializes an event where divine grace met profound human need, establishing a lasting symbol of God as the ultimate source of life and refreshment for those who call upon Him.
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