עֵין גַּנִּים
𐤏𐤉𐤍 𐤂𐤍𐤉𐤌
Eyn Ganim
H5873 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Toponym: a settlement name meaning 'spring of gardens,' referring to a place situated at or known for a water source (spring/fountain) associated with gardens or cultivated areas. Used as the name of two locations within the biblical land of Israelite settlement: one in the territory allotted to Issachar (Joshua 19:21, 21:29; 1 Chronicles 6:73), and one possibly in the territory of Judah (Joshua 15:34; Nehemiah 3:14).
Semantic Range
spring of gardens, En-gannim (place name), fountain of gardens, settlement associated with irrigated cultivation
Root / Etymology
Compound toponym, from עַיִן (ayin, 'spring, fountain') and the plural form of גַּן (gan, 'garden'). The construction indicates a place characterized by gardens nourished by a natural spring. Root ע-י-נ ('to flow, spring forth, eye') relates to water sources, while ג-נ-ן ('to cover, surround, protect') develops in this context as a cultivated, enclosed garden. The name thus means 'fountain (spring) of gardens.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
עֵין גַּנִּים is attested as the name of locations during the monarchic period and later, usually as a Levitical or Judahite town. The association with springs and gardens suggests irrigation agriculture, marking it as a fertile or notable cultivated area in contrast to more arid surroundings. English translations may render it 'En-gannim' or 'En-gannim,' sometimes substituting 'spring of gardens.' The later, post-exilic and Greco-Roman period location known as Jenin in modern northern West Bank is often identified with the Issacharite site. The use of עֵין (spring) as a component in place names is very common in biblical geography. The name contains no direct ethnic or religious identifiers and should not be read as pointing beyond physical-geographical characteristics. In the translation tradition, 'Palestine' is anachronistic; the biblical context is the land of the Israelites or specific tribal territories.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from עַיִן and the plural of גַּן; fountain of gardens; En-Gannim, a place in Palestine; En-gannim.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
עין, גנן (Eyn Ganim) — to flow, to spring up (עין); to cover, to protect, to surround (גן/גנן); by extension, garden
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5873-02 |
גַּנִּ֔ים | ganim | HNp |
gannim | Spring-of-Gardens | Eyn Ganim | 3 |
H5873-03 |
וְ/עֵ֣ין | veeyn | HC/Np |
and En | and there is not | and Eyn Ganim | 2 |
H5873-01 |
עֵ֥ין | eyn | HNp |
En | there is not | Eyn Ganim | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5873-03 |
Joshua 15:34 | וְ/עֵ֣ין | veeyn | HC/Np |
and En | and there is not | and Eyn Ganim |
H5873-02 |
Joshua 15:34 | גַּנִּ֔ים | ganim | HNp |
gannim | Spring-of-Gardens | Eyn Ganim |
H5873-03 |
Joshua 19:21 | וְ/עֵין | veeyn | HC/Np |
and En | and there is not | and Eyn Ganim |
H5873-02 |
Joshua 19:21 | גַּנִּ֛ים | ganim | HNp |
gannim | Spring-of-Gardens | Eyn Ganim |
H5873-01 |
Joshua 21:29 | עֵ֥ין | eyn | HNp |
En | there is not | Eyn Ganim |
H5873-02 |
Joshua 21:29 | גַּנִּ֖ים | ganim | HNp |
Gannim | Spring-of-Gardens | Eyn Ganim |