from עַיִן and the same as חָצוֹר; fountain of a village; En-Chatsor, a place in Palestine; En-hazor.
Transliteration:ʻÊyn Châtsôwr
Pronunciation:ane khaw-tsore'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H5877}}` (ʻÊyn Châtsôwr), transliterated as En-hazor, is a compound geographical proper noun. Its etymology reveals its meaning: it is derived from עַיִן (ayin, `{{H5869}}`), meaning "eye" but commonly used to denote a "spring" or "fountain," and חָצוֹר (châtsôwr, `{{H2674}}`), which refers to "Hazor." While `{{H2674}}` typically designates the prominent Canaanite city of Hazor, the specific definition for `{{H5877}}` clarifies it as "fountain of a village." This suggests either a spring associated with a smaller settlement named Hazor, or more broadly, a spring near *any* fortified enclosure or village. The semantic range is therefore strictly topographical, identifying a specific water source and its nearby habitation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
`{{H5877}}` appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, within the meticulous geographical enumeration of the tribal allotments in the book of Joshua.
* [[Joshua 19:37]]: "And Kedesh, and Edrei, and En-hazor," is listed as one of the fortified cities belonging to the tribe of Naphtali.
The context here is crucial. It is part of a detailed inventory of the cities and villages assigned to each of the twelve tribes of Israel following the conquest of Canaan. This specific verse contributes to the comprehensive description of Naphtali's inheritance, which stretched from the Sea of Galilee northward. The inclusion of En-hazor, alongside other named settlements, underscores the precise and divinely ordained division of the land among the Israelite clans. Its singular mention suggests it was a place of local significance, primarily for its water source, within the broader tribal territory.
### Related Words & Concepts
The components of `{{H5877}}` naturally connect it to several key biblical concepts:
* **עַיִן (ayin, `{{H5869}}`)**: This root frequently appears in place names (e.g., En-Gedi, En-Rogel), highlighting the critical importance of natural springs and water sources in the arid ancient Near East. Such springs were vital for sustenance, agriculture, and the establishment of settlements, often serving as focal points for life and community.
* **חָצוֹר (châtsôwr, `{{H2674}}`)**: While En-hazor is distinct from the major city of Hazor (Tel Hazor), the connection in name points to the prevalence of "Hazor" as a descriptor for fortified places or settlements. The larger Hazor was a powerful Canaanite kingdom, and its destruction by Joshua ([[Joshua 11:10-11]]) was a significant event in the conquest. The presence of a "Fountain of Hazor" suggests that even smaller, perhaps less strategically vital, locations were named in relation to their defensive or settled characteristics.
* **Tribal Allotments**: The listing of En-hazor in [[Joshua 19:37]] places it squarely within the narrative of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, specifically regarding the inheritance of the land of Canaan ([[Genesis 12:7]], [[Genesis 15:18-21]]). The meticulous detail of these lists emphasizes the concrete reality of Israel's possession and the divine order established for their dwelling.
### Theological Significance
Though `{{H5877}}` refers to a specific geographical location with only one biblical mention, its theological significance can be discerned within the broader narrative of God's redemptive history:
1. **Divine Provision**: The "fountain" aspect of En-hazor speaks to God's ongoing provision for His people. Water sources were essential for life, and their presence in the allotted land underscored God's care in providing for the physical needs of Israel in their new homeland.
2. **Fulfillment of Promise**: The inclusion of En-hazor in the tribal inheritance lists is a testament to the meticulous fulfillment of God's covenant promises. Every named place, whether prominent or obscure, contributes to the grand tapestry of God granting the land to His chosen people, demonstrating His faithfulness to His word.
3. **Establishment of Order**: The detailed geographical descriptions in Joshua reflect the establishment of divine order within the Promised Land. The land was not merely conquered but systematically divided and settled, signifying a transition from nomadic existence to a settled, organized nation under God's law. En-hazor, as a fixed point on this map, contributes to this sense of established divine order.
4. **Sovereignty over Land**: God's detailed allocation of land, including places like En-hazor, demonstrates His absolute sovereignty over the earth and its inhabitants. He is the one who determines the boundaries of nations and the dwelling places of humanity ([[Acts 17:26]]).
### Summary
`{{H5877}}` (ʻÊyn Châtsôwr), or En-hazor, is a Hebrew proper noun meaning "fountain of a village" or "spring of Hazor." It is mentioned singularly in [[Joshua 19:37]] as one of the cities allotted to the tribe of Naphtali, serving as a geographical marker within the detailed record of Israel's inheritance of the Promised Land. Its etymology highlights the vital role of water sources (עַיִן) in ancient settlements and connects it to the broader concept of fortified places (חָצוֹר). Theologically, En-hazor's inclusion in the biblical text underscores God's meticulous provision for His people, His faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises of land, and the establishment of divine order within the new nation of Israel. It stands as a humble yet significant testament to God's sovereign plan manifest in the physical geography of the Holy Land.
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