אֶשְׁעָן
𐤀𐤔𐤏𐤍
Eshean
H824 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper noun designating a specific geographic location, used for a town or settlement named Eshan. Its lexical meaning relates to a place associated with 'support' or 'resting.' The term functions primarily as a toponym rather than a common noun or verb.
Semantic Range
(as a proper noun) a town or place named Eshan/Esh'an, locus of 'support' or 'resting'; (potential but unattested) a place for rest, support, or security
Root / Etymology
Derived from the Hebrew root שָׁעַן (to lean on, support, rely upon). אֶשְׁעָן appears to be a formation from this root with a prefixed א and a nominal ending, forming a place name. The precise grammatical or morphological motivation underlying the exact form is not fully certain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
אֶשְׁעָן appears only in Joshua 15:52 as a place in the southern hill country allocated to the tribe of Judah (Judahite territory) during the monarchic period. The name likely reflects an association with support, rest, or reliance, possibly referring to a landmark or a quality of the settlement (such as a site for resting, support, or refuge for travelers). Unlike many biblical toponyms, its meaning was not carried over as an appellative (common noun or verb), and there is no evidence that it referred to a population group or identity. In later tradition, the place name was transliterated as 'Eshean' or 'Eshan.' The identification of its historical location is debated; it is not attested outside the biblical text. The translation 'Eshan' as 'Eshean' or 'support' in English does not convey the potential nuance of a place providing rest or safety, which is present in the root. The name does not appear to carry ethnic or religious significance beyond its geographic context. Contrasts with related places named after verbs or actions (e.g., שָׁלוֹם for 'peace').
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שָׁעַן; support; Eshan, a place in Palestine; Eshean.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שׁען (š-ʿ-n) — to lean on, support, rely upon
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H824-01 |
וְ/אֶשְׁעָֽן | veeshean | HC/Np |
and Eshan | and Support-Place | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H824-01 |
Joshua 15:52 | וְ/אֶשְׁעָֽן | veeshean | HC/Np |
and Eshan | and Support-Place |