4266. Machanayim
Lexical Summary
Machanayim: Mahanaim

Original Word: מַחֲניִם
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Machanayim
Pronunciation: mah-khah-nah-yeem
Phonetic Spelling: (makh-an-ah'-yim)
KJV: Mahanaim
NASB: Mahanaim
Word Origin: [dual of H4264 (מַחֲנֶה - camp)]

1. double camp
2. Machanajim, a place in Israel

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Mahanaim

Dual of machaneh; double camp; Machanajim, a place in Palestine -- Mahanaim.

see HEBREW machaneh

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
dual of machaneh
Definition
"two camps," a place E. of the Jordan
NASB Translation
Mahanaim (13).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
מַחֲנַיִם proper name, of a location (two camps) — east of Jordan; name from Jacob's meeting angels according to Genesis 32:3 (J), place on border of Gad Joshua 13:26, of Manasseh Joshua 13:30 (P); Levitical city in Gad Joshua 21:36 (P) = 1 Chronicles 6:65; named also 2 Samuel 2:8 (מַחֲנָ֑יִם), 2 Samuel 2:12; 2 Samuel 2:29 (נָ֑יִם-), 2 Samuel 19:33; 1 Kings 2:8 (נָ֑ים-); מַחֲנָ֑יְמָה 2 Samuel 17:24,27; 1 Kings 4:14; site unknown, see DiGn; כִּמְחֹלַת הַמַּחֲנָ֑יִם Cant 7:1 is put here by Ew Hi Öttli and others: as at a (the) dance of Mahanaim; dance of a double choir Gi Stickel RV.

Topical Lexicon
Geographical Setting

Mahanaim lay east of the Jordan River, just north of the Jabbok (modern Zarqa) in the plateau region variously called Gilead and Jazer. Its elevated terrain, ample pastureland, and proximity to major river crossings made it an ideal encampment, a frontier fortress, and later a Levitical city.

Patriarchal Significance (Genesis 32:1-2)

The site first appears when Jacob, returning from Paddan-Aram, is met by angelic hosts: “When Jacob saw them, he said, ‘This is the camp of God.’ So he called that place Mahanaim”. The dual-camp motif—Jacob’s company and God’s—became a standing reminder that the Lord’s unseen army accompanies His covenant people. Jacob’s naming act stamped the location with a testimony of divine guardianship just before his reconciliation with Esau.

Allotment to the Tribe of Gad (Joshua 13:26, 30)

During the conquest, Moses and later Joshua confirmed Mahanaim within Gad’s inheritance, bordering on Ammonite territory. Its placement on the frontier entrusted Gad with the task of defending Israel’s eastern flank, a responsibility the tribe embraced through its reputation for valiant warriors (1 Chronicles 12:8).

Levitical Status (Joshua 21:38; 1 Chronicles 6:80)

Mahanaim was assigned to the Merarite Levites, underscoring its spiritual role. As a Levitical town it functioned not only as a military post but also as a center for Torah instruction and worship east of the Jordan, reinforcing covenant faithfulness among the Transjordan tribes.

Royal Stronghold in the Early Monarchy

• Rise of Ish-bosheth: After Saul’s death, Abner installed Ish-bosheth in Mahanaim (2 Samuel 2:8). From this fortified seat the house of Saul contested David’s rule.
• Abner’s maneuvers: Skirmishes at Gibeon ended with Abner’s retreat “through the Arabah all night, and they crossed over the Jordan… and came to Mahanaim” (2 Samuel 2:29). The city thus served as a safe rallying point.
• David’s Refuge: Fleeing Absalom, David crossed the Jordan and came to Mahanaim (2 Samuel 17:24). Here Shobi, Machir, and Barzillai supplied him with provisions (17:27-29), a striking picture of covenant loyalty. From Mahanaim David organized his forces for the decisive battle in the forest of Ephraim, where the revolt was crushed.
• After the victory Barzillai accompanied David to the Jordan near Mahanaim (2 Samuel 19:32-39), cementing the city’s association with loyal service to the king.

Mentions in Solomon’s Era

Shimei’s restriction from crossing the Kidron recalls his earlier movements around Mahanaim during Absalom’s revolt (1 Kings 2:8). Later, Ben-geber was appointed governor “in Ramoth-gilead… also the towns of Jair… and the region of Argob… together with Mahanaim” (1 Kings 4:13-14), indicating continued administrative importance.

Theological and Practical Themes

1. Divine Protection: Mahanaim’s origin account anchors confidence in God’s unseen host. Believers today draw assurance that “the angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him” (Psalm 34:7).
2. Covenant Faithfulness across Generations: From Jacob to David, the site witnesses God preserving His promises despite familial conflict, tribal wars, and political upheaval.
3. Refuge and Hospitality: The generous aid David received models ministry to the persecuted and foreshadows the church’s call to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2).
4. Union of Heaven and Earth: The “two camps” anticipate the ultimate meeting of God’s realm with redeemed humanity in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:3).

Key References

Genesis 32:1-2; Joshua 13:26, 30; Joshua 21:38; 2 Samuel 2:8, 12, 29; 2 Samuel 17:24-29; 2 Samuel 19:32; 1 Kings 2:8; 1 Kings 4:14; 1 Chronicles 6:80.

Summary

Mahanaim stands as a multifaceted witness: a geographic frontier, a Levitical center, a royal refuge, and above all a memorial that God’s camp abides with His people. Its thirteen Old Testament occurrences weave a consistent message of divine presence, covenant loyalty, and the calling to trust and serve the true King.

Forms and Transliterations
בְמַחֲנַ֔יִם במחנים וּמִֽמַּחֲנַ֖יִם וממחנים מִֽמַּחֲנַ֖יִם מִמַּחֲנַ֨יִם מַֽחֲנָֽיִם׃ מַחֲנַ֖יִם מַחֲנָ֑יְמָה מַחֲנָ֑יִם מַחֲנָֽיְמָה׃ מַחֲנָֽיִם׃ מחנים מחנים׃ מחנימה מחנימה׃ ממחנים ḇə·ma·ḥă·na·yim ḇəmaḥănayim ma·ḥă·nā·yə·māh ma·ḥă·na·yim ma·ḥă·nā·yim machaNayemah MachaNayim maḥănāyəmāh maḥănayim maḥănāyim mim·ma·ḥă·na·yim mimachaNayim mimmaḥănayim ū·mim·ma·ḥă·na·yim umimachaNayim ūmimmaḥănayim vemachaNayim
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Englishman's Concordance
Genesis 32:2
HEB: הַמָּק֥וֹם הַה֖וּא מַֽחֲנָֽיִם׃ פ
NAS: So he named that place Mahanaim.
KJV: the name of that place Mahanaim.
INT: place he Mahanaim

Joshua 13:26
HEB: הַמִּצְפֶּ֖ה וּבְטֹנִ֑ים וּמִֽמַּחֲנַ֖יִם עַד־ גְּב֥וּל
NAS: and Betonim, and from Mahanaim as far
KJV: and Betonim; and from Mahanaim unto the border
INT: Ramath-mizpeh and Betonim Mahanaim far as the border

Joshua 13:30
HEB: וַיְהִ֣י גְבוּלָ֗ם מִמַּחֲנַ֨יִם כָּֽל־ הַבָּשָׁ֜ן
NAS: Their territory was from Mahanaim, all
KJV: And their coast was from Mahanaim, all Bashan,
INT: become their territory Mahanaim all Bashan

Joshua 21:38
HEB: מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ וְאֶֽת־ מַחֲנַ֖יִם וְאֶת־ מִגְרָשֶֽׁהָ׃
NAS: lands and Mahanaim with its pasture lands,
KJV: for the slayer; and Mahanaim with her suburbs,
INT: Gilead pasture and Mahanaim lands

2 Samuel 2:8
HEB: שָׁא֔וּל וַיַּעֲבִרֵ֖הוּ מַחֲנָֽיִם׃
NAS: and brought him over to Mahanaim.
KJV: and brought him over to Mahanaim;
INT: of Saul and brought to Mahanaim

2 Samuel 2:12
HEB: בֶּן־ שָׁא֑וּל מִֽמַּחֲנַ֖יִם גִּבְעֽוֹנָה׃
NAS: went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon
KJV: went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
INT: the son of Saul Mahanaim to Gibeon

2 Samuel 2:29
HEB: הַבִּתְר֔וֹן וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ מַחֲנָֽיִם׃
NAS: morning, and came to Mahanaim.
KJV: and they came to Mahanaim.
INT: morning and came to Mahanaim

2 Samuel 17:24
HEB: וְדָוִ֖ד בָּ֣א מַחֲנָ֑יְמָה וְאַבְשָׁלֹ֗ם עָבַר֙
NAS: came to Mahanaim. And Absalom
KJV: came to Mahanaim. And Absalom
INT: David came to Mahanaim and Absalom crossed

2 Samuel 17:27
HEB: כְּב֥וֹא דָוִ֖ד מַחֲנָ֑יְמָה וְשֹׁבִ֨י בֶן־
NAS: had come to Mahanaim, Shobi
KJV: was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi
INT: had come David to Mahanaim Shobi the son

2 Samuel 19:32
HEB: הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ בְּשִׁיבָת֣וֹ בְמַחֲנַ֔יִם כִּֽי־ אִ֛ישׁ
NAS: while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very
KJV: while he lay at Mahanaim; for he [was] a very
INT: the king stayed Mahanaim for man

1 Kings 2:8
HEB: בְּי֖וֹם לֶכְתִּ֣י מַחֲנָ֑יִם וְהֽוּא־ יָרַ֤ד
NAS: I went to Mahanaim. But when he came down
KJV: when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down
INT: the day went to Mahanaim he came

1 Kings 4:14
HEB: בֶּן־ עִדֹּ֖א מַחֲנָֽיְמָה׃
NAS: the son of Iddo, [in] Mahanaim;
KJV: the son of Iddo [had] Mahanaim:
INT: the son of Iddo Mahanaim

1 Chronicles 6:80
HEB: מִגְרָשֶׁ֑יהָ וְאֶֽת־ מַחֲנַ֖יִם וְאֶת־ מִגְרָשֶֽׁיהָ׃
NAS: lands, Mahanaim with its pasture lands,
KJV: with her suburbs, and Mahanaim with her suburbs,
INT: Gilead pasture Mahanaim lands

13 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 4266
13 Occurrences


ma·ḥă·nā·yə·māh — 3 Occ.
ma·ḥă·nā·yim — 6 Occ.
mim·ma·ḥă·na·yim — 2 Occ.
ū·mim·ma·ḥă·na·yim — 1 Occ.
ḇə·ma·ḥă·na·yim — 1 Occ.

4265
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