אֶגְלַיִם
Eglajim, a place in Moab
Definition
Eglayim is a proper noun referring to a specific location in the ancient territory of Moab. Its name, meaning 'double pond' or 'two reservoirs,' likely describes a place known for its water sources, which would have been a vital feature in the arid region. The sole biblical reference to Eglayim is found in Isaiah 15:8, where it is listed among the Moabite cities that will lament and wail during a prophesied judgment. As a place name, it has no other attested meanings or senses in the biblical text.
Biblical Usage
The word אֶגְלַיִם is used only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 15:8. It appears in a prophetic oracle against Moab, specifically in a list of cities that will experience devastation and outcry. Its usage is strictly geographical, serving to specify a location within the scope of the prophecy. There are no patterns of usage across different books or contexts, as it is a unique, singular reference.
Etymology
Eglayim is the dual form of the Hebrew noun אֶגֶל (ʼegel, H96), which means 'pond,' 'pool,' or 'reservoir.' The dual form (indicated by the '-ayim' ending) typically denotes a pair or a double of something, hence 'double pond.' This suggests the location was characterized by two prominent water collections, a significant geographical marker in the ancient Near East. The name is purely descriptive of the place's physical features.
Semantic Range
While Eglayim itself is a mundane geographical name, its inclusion in Isaiah 15:8 carries theological weight. It serves as a specific, tangible example within a prophecy of divine judgment, illustrating that God's sovereignty and justice extend over all nations, including Israel's enemies like Moab. Understanding its meaning ('double pond') enriches the reading by highlighting the irony or pathos: a place named for life-sustaining water becomes a site of mourning and desolation, underscoring the completeness of the coming calamity.
In the cultural context of ancient Israel and Moab, a place name derived from water sources was highly significant. Water meant life, sustenance, and economic stability in a semi-arid region. A 'double pond' would have been a notable landmark, possibly a settlement, caravan stop, or agricultural center. Its mention in a prophecy of destruction would have resonated powerfully with an ancient audience, for whom the loss of such a water source meant utter ruin and displacement.
אֶגֶל (ʼegel, H96) — The singular root word meaning 'pond' or 'pool,' from which Eglayim is derived.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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