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עָנִים

𐤏𐤍𐤉𐤌

Anim

H6044 noun

SILEX Entry

Root עין eye, spring, fountain

Definition

A place name indicating 'fountains' or 'springs,' appearing in a geographic context in the Hebrew Bible. The form is a plural of 'ayin', denoting a location characterized by natural water sources.

Semantic Range

fountains, springs (as a location); Anim (a specific settlement named after its springs); place marked by natural water sources

Root / Etymology

From the root עין (‘ayin), meaning 'eye,' but also commonly used for 'spring' or 'fountain' due to the resemblance between a source of water and the concept of an eye. עָנִים is a plural form, used here as a toponym, i.e., the name of a place marked by springs.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The name עָנִים occurs in Joshua 15:50 and 21:16 in lists of towns within the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah in the monarchic period. The form is a plural of עַיִן ('ayn), 'spring,' indicating a site notable for its multiple natural water sources. The reference is strictly geographical, with no consistent religious, ethnic, or later Judean/Jewish significance. The location was assigned as a Levitical city. Standard English translations such as 'Anim' transliterate the place name. It is distinct from other Hebrew place names formed with ayin and often confused with similar-sounding sites, but its plural form sets it apart as referring to more than one spring. The term never refers to people, identity, or group. Later translations and Jewish tradition included this site among the settled Israelite territories, but the exact archaeological identification of the site remains uncertain. Translators render it as 'Anim' or occasionally as 'Springs' to reflect the etymology, but the place itself is not well-attested outside these passages.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

for plural of עַיִן; fountains; Anim, a place in Palestine; Anim.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עין (ʿ-y-n) — eye, spring, fountain

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2704 חֲצַר עֵינָן Spring-Eyed One
H3282 יַעַן because
H4599 מַעְיָן the springs
H5770 עָוַן the hostile-watching one
H5869 עַיִן eyes

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6044-01 וְ/עָנִֽים veanim HC/Np and Anim and Springs 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6044-01 Joshua 15:50 וְ/עָנִֽים veanim HC/Np and Anim and Springs
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