עִיֵּי הָעֲבָרִים
𐤏𐤉𐤉 𐤄𐤏𐤁𐤓𐤉𐤌
Iyey Haavarim
H5863 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A geographical place name meaning 'ruins of the crossers' or 'heaps of the crossers,' referring to a location identified by its association with 'heaps' or 'ruined places' connected with passing over, crossing, or migratory movement. The term specifically denotes an encampment site east of the Jordan River, likely in the Transjordanian region bordering Moab. The lexical meaning is a toponym derived from descriptive elements related to landscape and travel.
Semantic Range
heaps of the crossers, ruins of the travelers, site of crossing, ruined mounds associated with migratory passage, encampment near Moab
Root / Etymology
Derived from the noun עִי (ʿiy, 'heap, ruin')—plural עִיֵּי (ʿiyyei, 'heaps, ruins')—and the masculine plural participial form of עָבַר (ʿāvar, 'to cross, pass through'), i.e., עֲבָרִים (ʿăvārîm, 'crossers, passers by'), with the definite article (הַ-) intervening. Literally translates as 'heaps of the crossers' or 'ruins of the passers.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
עִיֵּי הָעֲבָרִים appears as a wilderness camping station for the Israelites east of Moab (Numbers 21:11, Numbers 33:44,46). The name reflects local topographical features (ruins or mounds) and the function of the place as a route or crossing point—likely on a migrating, trade, or military path. The 'Abarim' element is also found in 'Mount Nebo in the Abarim range.' English tradition renders this as 'Ije-abarim' or 'Iye-abarim,' but the literal sense is tied to ruins/heaps (ʿiyyei) associated with those who 'cross,' not residential habitation. The term is a descriptive toponym; it is not an ethnonym or a designation of religious or ethnic identity. Usage is restricted to itinerary lists relating to the Israelites' wilderness wanderings and is not employed as a common noun outside these contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the plural of עִי and the plural of the active participle of עָבַר with the article interposed; ruins of the passers; Ije-ha-Abarim, a place near Palestine; Ije-abarim.
Bantu Hebrew
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עי, עבר (ʿ-y; ʿ-b-r) — heap, ruin; to cross over, to pass through
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5863-01 |
בְּ/עִיֵּ֣י | beiyey | HR/Np |
at Iye | in the heaps of the crossers | 2 |
H5863-02 |
הָֽעֲבָרִ֗ים | haavarim | HNp |
abarim | the crossers | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5863-01 |
Numbers 21:11 | בְּ/עִיֵּ֣י | beiyey | HR/Np |
at Iye | in the heaps of the crossers |
H5863-02 |
Numbers 21:11 | הָֽעֲבָרִ֗ים | haavarim | HNp |
Abarim | the crossers |
H5863-01 |
Numbers 33:44 | בְּ/עִיֵּ֥י | beiyey | HR/Np |
at Iye- | in the heaps of the crossers |
H5863-02 |
Numbers 33:44 | הָעֲבָרִ֖ים | haavarim | HNp |
abarim | the crossers |