עֵין עֶגְלַיִם
En-Eglajim, a place in Palestine
Definition
En-Eglaim (עֵין עֶגְלַיִם) is a proper noun referring to a specific geographical location in ancient Palestine. Its name, meaning 'spring of the two calves,' likely designates a place known for a water source and its association with cattle. In the Bible, it appears only in Ezekiel's grand vision of the restored temple and land, where it serves as a boundary marker for the region where fishermen will spread their nets in the life-giving waters flowing from the temple (Ezekiel 47:10). This singular usage gives it a specific, prophetic significance within Ezekiel's description of the future restoration of Israel.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in Ezekiel 47:10. It functions strictly as a geographical place name, serving as the southern boundary point (alongside En-Gedi) for the area where fishermen will operate in the miraculous river flowing from the temple. Its usage is entirely within the visionary, prophetic context of Ezekiel's final temple vision.
Etymology
The name is a compound Hebrew phrase: 'En' (עַיִן, H5869) meaning 'spring' or 'fountain,' and 'Eglaim,' the dual form of 'egel' (עֵגֶל, H5695) meaning 'calf' or 'young bull.' Thus, it literally translates to 'spring of the two calves.' The dual form ('two calves') is significant, possibly indicating a pair of calves, a specific landmark, or a place known for cattle breeding.
Semantic Range
While a simple place name, En-Eglaim gains theological significance through its placement in Ezekiel's restoration prophecy (Ezekiel 47:1-12). It marks the boundary of the life-giving waters that transform the Dead Sea, symbolizing God's power to bring life, healing, and abundance to even the most barren and cursed places. Its pairing with En-Gedi creates a frame for this renewed, fruitful world, enriching the reader's understanding of God's promise to restore creation and provide for His people.
As a place name meaning 'spring of the two calves,' it reflects the agrarian and pastoral culture of ancient Israel, where reliable water sources were vital for survival and prosperity. The mention of calves suggests the area may have been associated with livestock watering or fertility. Its specific location is uncertain today, but its role as a boundary marker in Ezekiel's vision uses a familiar geographical concept to describe a future, idealized landscape.
En-Gedi (עֵין גֶּדִי, H5872) — Another spring/oasis place name mentioned alongside En-Eglaim in Ezekiel 47:10 as the opposite boundary point for the fishing region.
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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