עֵין חֲרֹד
𐤏𐤉𐤍 𐤇𐤓𐤃
Eyn Charod
H5878 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A spring or fountain named ʽÊyn Charod, literally 'Spring of Harod,' a geographical site known as the location where Gideon's Israelite forces camped before the battle with Midian (Judges 7). The name likely means 'spring of trembling' or 'spring of fear,' identifying the site by a notable spring and possibly referencing the trembling or fear that occurred there.
Semantic Range
spring, fountain, well; trembling, fear; as a place name, 'spring of trembling,' site name, a physical location known for a spring associated with an event of anxiety or fear
Root / Etymology
Derived from the noun עַיִן ('spring, fountain') and חָרַד ('to tremble, be afraid'). The full place name means 'spring (ʽÊyn) of trembling (Charod).'
Historical & Contextual Notes
ʽÊyn Charod is mentioned only in Judges 7:1, where it designates a specific spring near which Gideon and his men gathered before the battle against Midian. The second element, חָרֹד, has sometimes been interpreted by later tradition as relating to 'trembling' or 'fear,' possibly because of the narrative's theme (the fearful are separated at this spring). In post-biblical and modern scholarship, the site is commonly identified with Ain Jalud in the Jezreel Valley. English translations often render it 'the well of Harod' or transliterate as 'En Harod,' but the component 'Harod' is a verbal noun meaning 'trembling' or 'anxiety.' There is no connection with later Judean or Israelite ethnic identity; the name is strictly geographic. The name does not persist in later biblical periods or develop any additional semantic or symbolic meaning beyond its original narrative context.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from עַיִן and a derivative of חָרַד; fountain of trembling; En-Charod, a place in Palestine; well of Harod.
Bantu Hebrew
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+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עין, חרד (ʿ-y-n; ḥ-r-d) — spring, fountain, flowing source; trembling, fear, חרדה
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5878-01 |
חֲרֹ֑ד | charod | HNp |
of-Harod | Trembling-Spring | 1 |
H5878-02 |
עֵ֣ין | eyn | HNp |
spring | there is not | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5878-02 |
Judges 7:1 | עֵ֣ין | eyn | HNp |
spring | there is not |
H5878-01 |
Judges 7:1 | חֲרֹ֑ד | charod | HNp |
of-Harod | Trembling-Spring |