אֵיל פָּארָן
𐤀𐤉𐤋 𐤐𐤀𐤓𐤍
Eyl Paran
H364 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A place name meaning 'Terebinth (large tree) of Paran,' designating a specific site in the region of Paran. The term denotes a prominent tree or grove named in association with Paran, used as a geographic reference point.
Semantic Range
prominent tree or terebinth in Paran, landmark or site in the Paran region, geographic marker connected to the wilderness narrative
Root / Etymology
From two Hebrew words: אֵיל (ʼêyl), meaning 'terebinth' or 'large tree,' and פָּארָן (Pâʼrân), which is the name of a region (Paran) in the southern wilderness, generally associated with an area south or southeast of Canaan. The compound literally means 'Terebinth of Paran.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Genesis 14:6, אֵיל פָּארָן refers to a particular landmark on the southernmost edge of Canaan, at the entrance to (or possibly within) the wilderness of Paran. This site was evidently well known enough to serve as a point of reference for military campaigns and geographic boundaries in the patriarchal narratives. The term emphasizes both a physical feature (an imposing tree, likely a terebinth, possibly used as a meeting place or landmark) and its association with the Paran wilderness. The use here of אֵיל ('terebinth') rather than אַלּוֹן ('oak') aligns with the tendency in the Hebrew Bible to refer to conspicuous and long-lived trees as social or territorial markers. Later translations and English versions often render the place name simply as 'El Paran' or conflate it with tree-related toponyms, but the original Hebrew emphasizes the botanical feature as integral to the location's identity.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from אַיִל and פָּארָן; oak of Paran; El-Paran, a portion of the district of Paran; El-paran.
Bantu Hebrew
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איל, פרן (ʾ-y-l; p-r-n) — strength, prominence (large tree); region name Paran
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H364-01 |
אֵ֣יל | eyl | HNp |
El | Terebinth of Paran | 1 |
H364-02 |
פָּארָ֔ן | paran | HNp |
Paran | Terebinth of Paran | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H364-01 |
Genesis 14:6 | אֵ֣יל | eyl | HNp |
El | Terebinth of Paran |
H364-02 |
Genesis 14:6 | פָּארָ֔ן | paran | HNp |
Paran | Terebinth of Paran |