from עַיִן and שֶׁמֶשׁ; fountain of the sun; En-Shemesh, a place in Palestine; Enshemesh.
Transliteration:ʻÊyn Shemesh
Pronunciation:ane sheh'-mesh
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The lemma `{{H5885}}` עֵין שֶׁמֶשׁ (ʻÊyn Shemesh) is a compound Hebrew proper noun, literally translating to "Fountain of the Sun" or "Spring of the Sun." It is formed from two distinct elements:
* `{{H5869}}` עַיִן (ʻayin): This word possesses a broad semantic range, including "eye," "fountain," or "spring." In the context of geographical place names, especially when prefixed to another noun, it almost universally refers to a natural water source, a spring or fountain.
* `{{H8121}}` שֶׁמֶשׁ (shemesh): This word refers to the celestial body, the sun.
As a proper noun, `{{H5885}}` designates a specific geographical location in ancient Palestine. Its semantic range is thus confined to identifying this particular spring and its environs.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
`{{H5885}}` occurs twice in the Hebrew Bible, both instances found within the book of Joshua, where it functions as a crucial landmark in the detailed description of tribal boundaries:
* [[Joshua 15:7]]: "And the border went up from the Valley of Achor to Debir and turned northward toward Gilgal, which is opposite the ascent of Adummim, which is on the south side of the valley; and the border continued to the waters of En-Shemesh and went on to En-Rogel."
* Here, En-Shemesh is cited as part of the northern boundary of the tribe of Judah. Its placement between the Valley of Achor (east of Jericho) and En-Rogel (near Jerusalem) suggests a location in the rugged terrain east or southeast of Jerusalem, likely within one of the wadis or valleys leading towards the Jordan.
* [[Joshua 18:17]]: "And it went down to the border of the valley of Hinnom, to the side of the Jebusite southward, and went down to En-Rogel and went around northward to En-Shemesh and went on to Geliloth, which is opposite the ascent of Adummim, and went down to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben."
* In this passage, En-Shemesh is again mentioned in conjunction with En-Rogel, this time as part of the border between the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. The description indicates a movement "around northward" from En-Rogel to En-Shemesh, further solidifying its location in the vicinity of Jerusalem, likely in the Kidron Valley or a nearby tributary on the eastern side. Its role is consistently that of a precise geographical marker for tribal apportionment.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{H5869}}` עַיִן (ʻayin):** The "En" (or "Ain") component is ubiquitous in biblical toponyms, signifying the presence of a spring. This highlights the indispensable role of water sources in sustaining life and enabling settlement in the arid biblical landscape. Other examples include En-Gedi ("Spring of the Kid"), En-Dor ("Spring of Dor"), and En-Rogel ("Spring of the Fuller").
* **`{{H8121}}` שֶׁמֶשׁ (shemesh):** The "Shemesh" (sun) component also appears in other place names, notably Beth-Shemesh ("House of the Sun"). While such names could potentially allude to pre-Israelite solar worship, the biblical text itself does not attribute such connotations to En-Shemesh. The "sun" in its name likely describes a physical characteristic of the spring, such as its exposure to the sun, its appearance at sunrise, or perhaps a local landmark associated with the sun. It is consistently presented as a geographical feature, not a cultic site.
* **Land as Inheritance:** As a boundary marker, `{{H5885}}` is intrinsically linked to the broader biblical theme of the land (Eretz Israel) as a divine inheritance. The meticulous detail in the boundary descriptions in Joshua underscores the significance of land tenure and tribal identity within the covenant framework.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H5885}}` is primarily indirect, derived from its contextual role within the overarching narrative of Israel's possession of the Promised Land:
* **Divine Faithfulness and Order:** The precise delineation of tribal boundaries, including the specific mention of landmarks like En-Shemesh, powerfully testifies to God's meticulous ordering and faithful fulfillment of His covenant promises. The detailed nature of these geographical lists in Joshua emphasizes the concrete reality of the divine gift of land to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It underscores the divine precision in allocating each tribe its specific, God-ordained inheritance.
* **Land as Sacred Trust:** En-Shemesh, as a fixed point in the tribal territories, contributes to the concept of the land not merely as property, but as a sacred trust from Yahweh. The boundaries were not arbitrary human constructs but divinely appointed markers of identity and inheritance.
* **Absence of Idolatrous Connotation:** Despite the "sun" component in its name, the biblical narrative never assigns any pagan or idolatrous significance to En-Shemesh. This is crucial given the Bible's consistent and vehement condemnation of sun worship (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 4:19]], [[2 Kings 23:5]], [[Ezekiel 8:16]]). The biblical authors present En-Shemesh purely as a geographical feature, thereby stripping any potential pre-Israelite pagan associations and integrating it solely into the framework of Israel's covenant with Yahweh. This demonstrates the biblical text's recontextualization of existing place names within a monotheistic worldview.
### Summary
`{{H5885}}` עֵין שֶׁמֶשׁ (ʻÊyn Shemesh), meaning "Fountain of the Sun," is a geographical proper noun appearing twice in the book of Joshua. It designates a specific spring located near Jerusalem, serving as a critical landmark in the precise demarcation of the tribal boundaries for Judah and Benjamin. Its name combines "fountain" (`{{H5869}}`) and "sun" (`{{H8121}}`), likely describing a physical characteristic of the spring rather than indicating any cultic significance within the biblical narrative. The primary theological import of En-Shemesh lies in its contribution to the overarching theme of God's faithful and meticulous fulfillment of His covenant promises by granting Israel a divinely ordained land inheritance with clearly defined boundaries. The biblical text consistently presents it as a geographical marker, devoid of any idolatrous connotations, thereby reinforcing the monotheistic focus of the Israelite faith.
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