### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew name **ʻÊyn Tannîym**, represented by `{{H5886}}`, is a compound term translated as **dragon well** or **fountain of jackals**. It appears only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the Bible. This name identifies a specific location, a pool near Jerusalem, combining the concepts of a water source and a formidable creature.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole biblical appearance of `{{H5886}}` is in Nehemiah's account of his nighttime inspection of Jerusalem's defenses. He states that he "went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the **dragon well**" to view the city's broken-down walls and burned gates [[Nehemiah 2:13]]. In this context, the **dragon well** serves as a geographical landmark, helping to map out the path of Nehemiah's survey of the city's ruin.
### Related Words & Concepts
The name is derived from two distinct Hebrew words that define its character:
* `{{H5869}}` **ʻayin**: This word literally means "an eye," but by analogy it also refers to a **fountain**, seen as "the eye of the landscape." Beyond its physical meanings, it is used figuratively for sight and perception. Man is described as looking on the "outward appearance" [[1 Samuel 16:7]], while righteousness is defined as doing what is right "in his sight" [[Exodus 15:26]].
* `{{H8577}}` **tannîyn**: This term describes a **"marine or land monster, i.e. sea-serpent or jackal,"** and is often translated as **dragon**, **sea-monster**, or **whale**. It is used to symbolize powerful, hostile entities, such as the king of Babylon who "swallowed me up like a dragon" [[Jeremiah 51:34]] and the primordial foe wounded by God's arm [[Isaiah 51:9]].
### Theological Significance
The conceptual significance of `{{H5886}}` is tied to the imagery its name evokes.
* **A Source in a Wild Place:** The name combines a life-giving "fountain" (`ʻayin`) with a "dragon" or "jackal" (`tannîyn`). This suggests a water source located in a wild or desolate area, a place inhabited by such creatures, as referenced when God provides water for "the dragons and the owls" in the wilderness [[Isaiah 43:20]].
* **Symbol of Desolation:** In its only scriptural context, the **dragon well** is a landmark passed during an assessment of destruction [[Nehemiah 2:13]]. The name, evoking monstrous or wild animals, complements the scene of a city with broken walls and consumed gates. It signifies a place on the edge of the ruined, and perhaps dangerous, city.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H5886}}` **ʻÊyn Tannîym** is not a theological concept but a descriptive place name, the "dragon well." Its single mention in scripture firmly places it within the narrative of Jerusalem's restoration under Nehemiah. The name's power comes from its components: `ʻayin` `{{H5869}}`, a fountain, and `tannîyn` `{{H8577}}`, a dragon or jackal. Together, they create a vivid image of a water source in a wild or desolate setting, a fitting landmark on the outskirts of a ruined city.
TRV