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עֵינַיִם

𐤏𐤉𐤍𐤉𐤌

Eynayim

H5879 noun

SILEX Entry

Root עין eye, spring, well, fountain (as metaphoric extension from 'eye')

Definition

A proper noun referring to a specific location, ʻÊynayim, meaning 'Two Springs' or 'Double Spring.' The word functions primarily as a toponym in the Hebrew Bible, designating a site known for its springs. In narrative context, it is the location where Judah encountered Tamar (Genesis 38:14, 21). The term does not carry a broader metaphorical sense in Biblical Hebrew beyond its function as a place name derived from anatomical or hydrological imagery (i.e., eyes/wells/springs).

Semantic Range

place with two springs, double spring, site characterized by twin water sources; as a proper noun, the name of a location in southern Canaan/Judah

Root / Etymology

From the root עין ('ayin), meaning 'eye,' which is frequently extended to mean 'spring' or 'fountain,' due to the resemblance between an eye and a spring of water. עֵינַיִם is the dual form, literally 'two eyes' or 'two springs.' The place name likely indicates the presence of two prominent water sources.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The place-name ʻÊynayim appears twice in Genesis 38, both times referring to a geographic location rather than a metaphorical or figurative concept. The dual form echoes the common Hebrew practice of naming sites after their physical characteristics (e.g., springs or wells). Translations such as 'Enam' or 'Enajim' reflect variant traditions, as seen in the Septuagint and other ancient versions. English versions (KJV/ESV/NRSV) often transliterate the name. In later translations and commentaries, some have interpreted the name as referencing openness or visibility ('open place' in KJV), which is based on an interpretive tradition rather than the actual Hebrew term. There is no evidence that ʻÊynayim ever referred to inhabitants as a demonym. The site is distinct from Enam (Joshua 15:34), though names may be related through the shared root and hydrological associations. Over time, the place was later identified with various locations near Adullam, but the precise site is now uncertain.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or עֵינָם; dual of עַיִן; double fountain; Enajim or Enam, a place in Palestine; Enaim, openly (Genesis 38:21).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עין (ʿ-y-n) — eye, spring, well, 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

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5879-03 וְ/הָ/עֵינָֽם vehaeynam HC/Td/Np and the Enam and the Two Springs 1
H5879-01 עֵינַ֔יִם eynayim HNp Enaim Two Springs 1
H5879-02 בָ/עֵינַ֖יִם vaeynayim HRd/Np at Enaim Two Springs 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5879-01 Genesis 38:14 עֵינַ֔יִם eynayim HNp Enaim Two Springs
H5879-02 Genesis 38:21 בָ/עֵינַ֖יִם vaeynayim HRd/Np at Enaim Two Springs
H5879-03 Joshua 15:34 וְ/הָ/עֵינָֽם vehaeynam HC/Td/Np and the Enam and the Two Springs
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