עֵין הַקּוֹרֵא
En-hak-Kore, a place near Palestine
Definition
En-hak-Kore is a proper noun referring to a specific spring or fountain located in the region of Lehi, within the territory of Judah. The name translates to 'the spring of the one who calls' or 'the fountain of the caller.' It is the location where God miraculously provided water for Samson after he cried out in thirst following his great victory over the Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey (Judges 15:19). This site is only mentioned in this single biblical narrative, and its significance is tied directly to this event of divine provision in response to prayer.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Judges 15:19. It functions strictly as a geographical place name, marking the location of God's provision for Samson. The context is a narrative of divine intervention following a military victory and a desperate plea from a judge of Israel.
Etymology
The name is a compound Hebrew phrase derived from עַיִן (ʿayin, H5869), meaning 'spring' or 'fountain,' and the active participle of קָרָא (qārāʾ, H7121), meaning 'to call.' Thus, it literally means 'fountain of the caller' or 'spring of the one who calls/reads.' The 'caller' in this context is understood to be Samson, who called out to God.
Semantic Range
En-hak-Kore is theologically significant as a tangible symbol of God's gracious and miraculous provision in direct response to human need and prayer. It highlights God's faithfulness to his chosen deliverers, even in their moments of physical weakness and desperation. Understanding the name ('spring of the caller') enriches the reading of Judges 15:19 by emphasizing the direct causal link between Samson's cry and God's life-giving answer, portraying Yahweh as the one who hears and sustains.
In the ancient Near East, springs were vital, life-sustaining landmarks, and their names often commemorated significant events. Naming a spring after this event (the caller) would have served as a permanent cultural memorial of God's intervention for Israel against the Philistines. It transforms a natural feature into a historical and theological landmark.
עַיִן (ʿayin, H5865) — The generic Hebrew word for 'spring' or 'fountain,' of which En-hak-Kore is a specific, named instance.
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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