Janim
Janim is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Judea in modern-day Israel. Known today as Bani Nai’im. It appears across 1 verse in Scripture.
Biblical History
Janim appears in Joshua 15:53 as one of the cities allotted to the tribe of Judah in the hill country district. It is listed among a cluster of towns that includes Janum (a variant spelling), Maon, Carmel, Ziph, and Juttah, all situated in the rugged terrain of the southern Judean highlands. This district, sometimes called the Hebron hills region, was one of the most important areas of Judahite settlement, encompassing territory associated with the patriarchs and later with David's early career. The surrounding cities of Maon and Carmel figure prominently in the narrative of David and Nabal (1 Samuel 25), while nearby Ziph was where the Ziphites twice betrayed David's hiding place to Saul (1 Samuel 23:19; 26:1). Though Janim itself does not appear in any specific biblical narrative beyond the territorial list, its inclusion in this strategically and historically significant district connects it to some of the most vivid stories of the early monarchy period. The Judean hill country cities collectively demonstrate the density of settlement in the tribal heartland and the careful administrative organization reflected in Joshua's city lists.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Janim is identified with Bani Na'im, a town located approximately 8 kilometers east of Hebron in the southern Judean hill country. The identification rests on the preservation of the ancient name in modified Arabic form and the site's position within the expected geographic context of the Joshua 15 hill country district. The area around Bani Na'im has yielded surface pottery from the Iron Age, consistent with Israelite occupation during the period of the Judges and monarchy. The town is also associated in Islamic and some Jewish traditions with the tomb of Lot. Limited archaeological investigation has been conducted at the site itself, as the modern town overlies ancient remains. The surrounding region contains numerous surveyed sites documenting continuous habitation from the Bronze Age through later periods.
Verse Appearances (1)
Josh
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →