עִיִּים
𐤏𐤉𐤉𐤌
Iyim
H5864 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A plural noun meaning 'heaps of ruins, desolate places, deserted areas'; also used as a toponym referring to Iiyyim (Iim), a settlement or location named for its association with desolation or abandoned ruins. The word designates either literal places of ruin or a specific inhabited site that took its name from such a feature.
Semantic Range
heaps of ruins, desolate places, deserted/abandoned places, a place named Iiyyim (Iim) likely characterized by ruins
Root / Etymology
From the root עיה, core sense 'to be a heap, to lie in ruins.' עִיִּים is the plural form of עִי ('heap of ruins, ruin'). Thus, it refers generically to ruinous or deserted sites or specifically to a place named for such a feature. The form is a regular masculine plural with the ending -ים.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, עִיִּים occurs as a toponym in southern Canaan (Joshua 15:29), likely referring to a location notable for its ancient ruins. The underlying noun עִי denotes a heap, rubble, or ruined place, generally implying a site that has been abandoned or destroyed. In biblical place-names, the use of a term meaning 'ruins' was not uncommon, reflecting the visible landscape or memory of prior destruction. English versions often transliterate as 'Iim,' 'Iyyim,' or similar forms. The nuance of 'ruins' is present regardless of the site's later habitation or occupation. This word is distinct from עַוִּים (Avvim), another ethnonym or toponym, and should not be confused with Ai (הָעָי) near Bethel. Over time, such names preserve memory of earlier events or help identify archaeological sites associated with destruction layers.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
plural of עִי; ruins; Ijim, a place in the Desert.; Iim.
Bantu Hebrew
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עיה (ʿ-y-h) — to be a heap, to lie in ruins, become deserted
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5864-02 |
וְ/עִיִּ֖ים | veiyim | HC/Np |
and Iim | heaps of ruins | and Iyim | 1 |
H5864-01 |
מֵ/עִיִּ֑ים | meiyim | HR/Np |
from Iyim | from ruin-heaps | from Iyim | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5864-01 |
Numbers 33:45 | מֵ/עִיִּ֑ים | meiyim | HR/Np |
from Iyim | from ruin-heaps | from Iyim |
H5864-02 |
Joshua 15:29 | וְ/עִיִּ֖ים | veiyim | HC/Np |
and Iim | heaps of ruins | and Iyim |