עֵין תַּנִּים
𐤏𐤉𐤍 𐤕𐤍𐤉𐤌
ʻÊyn Tannîym
H5886
SILEX Entry
Definition
A proper noun designating a specific water source or spring, most likely named for its association with jackals (tannîm). Refers to a well or fountain traditionally identified as 'En-Tannim', literally 'Spring of Jackals,' mentioned as one of the landmarks near Jerusalem. The name reflects the presence or perceived abundance of jackals in the vicinity, possibly indicating a wild or desolate area. In some ancient translations and traditions, the word tannîm has also been rendered as 'dragons' or 'monsters,' but the primary sense in context is jackals.
Semantic Range
a spring or well named for jackals, a specific water source near Jerusalem; 'Spring of Jackals,' geographic toponym, potentially descriptive of local fauna, sometimes rendered as 'dragon well' in older translations, but contextually refers to jackals
Root / Etymology
The phrase is composed of two words: עֵין ('ayin), 'spring, fountain, eye'; and תַּנִּים (tannîm), the plural of תַּן (tan), 'jackal.' The composite designation indicates a spring or water source associated with jackals. Both components are standard Hebrew terms, and the formation follows the pattern of toponymic naming based on local fauna or landmarks.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The name appears in Nehemiah 2:13 as a geographical marker during the inspection of Jerusalem's walls in the Persian period. The pairing of a spring with animal names is common in toponyms, marking either habitat or local features. The alternate translation 'dragon' in some older English Bibles (such as KJV 'the dragon well') reflects traditional translation choices rather than lexical accuracy; the Hebrew tannîm in biblical usage refers to wild canids (jackals), not mythical creatures. The site of En-Tannim is not certainly identified but is located near or within ancient Jerusalem. The use of this term reflects attention to the landscape and fauna during the biblical and post-exilic periods rather than religious connotations.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from עַיִן and the plural of תַּן; fountain of jackals; En-Tannim, a pool near Jerusalem; dragon well.
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Occurrences in Scripture
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