Enam
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Topical Encyclopedia
Etymology and Meaning:
The name "Enam" is believed to derive from a Hebrew root meaning "two springs" or "double fountain." This suggests a location characterized by abundant water sources, which would have been significant in the arid climate of ancient Israel.

Biblical References:
Enam is mentioned in the genealogical records of the tribe of Judah. In 1 Chronicles 4:32, Enam is listed among the towns in the territory of the descendants of Shelah, one of Judah's sons: "Their villages were Etam, Ain, Rimmon, Tochen, and Ashan—five towns in all."

Historical and Geographical Context:
Enam is situated in the lowland region of Judah, an area known for its fertile land and strategic location. The lowlands, or Shephelah, served as a buffer zone between the coastal Philistine territories and the central hill country of Judah. This region was crucial for agriculture and trade, contributing to the prosperity and sustenance of the tribe of Judah.

Archaeological Insights:
While Enam itself has not been definitively identified in modern archaeological surveys, the general area of the Shephelah has yielded numerous findings that illuminate the lifestyle and culture of its ancient inhabitants. Excavations in nearby sites have uncovered artifacts such as pottery, tools, and remnants of ancient dwellings, providing a glimpse into the daily life of the people who lived in this region during biblical times.

Theological Significance:
Enam, as part of the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, holds significance in the broader narrative of God's covenant with Israel. The allocation of land to the tribes of Israel is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, symbolizing God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises to the patriarchs. The mention of Enam in the genealogical records underscores the importance of land and lineage in the identity and history of the Israelite people.

Cultural and Religious Life:
The towns and villages of Judah, including Enam, were centers of agricultural and pastoral life. The presence of springs or fountains, as suggested by the name Enam, would have been vital for sustaining crops and livestock. Additionally, these water sources may have held religious significance, as water is often associated with purification and life in biblical literature.

Conclusion:
While Enam is a relatively obscure location in the biblical text, its mention contributes to the rich tapestry of Israel's tribal history and the fulfillment of God's promises to His people. The town's inclusion in the genealogical records of Judah highlights the importance of land, heritage, and divine providence in the biblical narrative.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Enam

fountain, open place

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Enam

(double spring), one of the cities of Judah int he Shefelah or lowland. (Joshua 15:34)

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ENAIM

e-na'-im (`enayim, "place of a fountain"; Ainan; Genesis 38:14 (the King James Version "in an open place"; Genesis 38:21 the King James Version "openly")):

A place which lay between Adullam and Timnath; probably the same as Enam (Joshua 15:34). Also mentioned in close connection with Adullam. It was in the Shephelah of Judah. The Talmud (Pesik. Rab. 23) mentions a Kephar Enaim. Conder proposes Khurbet Wady `Alin, which is an ancient site, evidently of great strength and importance, lying between Kh. `Ain Shems and the village of Deir Aban. The ruins crown a lofty and almost isolated hill; the greatest objection to the identification is that there is no fountain at all in the immediate neighborhood. There may have been one in earlier times. See PEF, III, 128.

E. W. G. Masterman

Strong's Hebrew
5879b. Enam -- a city in Judah
... Enam. 5880 . a city in Judah. Transliteration: Enam Short Definition: Enam. Word
Origin from ayin Definition a city in Judah NASB Word Usage Enam (1). ...
/hebrew/5879b.htm - 5k

5879. Eynayim -- "two springs," a place in Isr.
... Enaim, openly Genesis 38:21 Or meynam {ay-nawm'}; dual of ayin; double fountain;
Enajim or Enam, a place in Palestine -- Enaim, openly (Genesis 38:21). ...
/hebrew/5879.htm - 5k

Library

Chapter xxxviii
... She chose "the entrance" (p??tach, not sha'ar, "gate") of Enayim, called also Enam
(Joshua 15:34), "which is on the way to Timnah." Here her grievance is ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxviii.htm

Thesaurus
Enam (1 Occurrence)
... Version "in an open place"; Genesis 38:21 the King James Version "openly")): A place
which lay between Adullam and Timnath; probably the same as Enam (Joshua 15 ...
/e/enam.htm - 7k

Enaim (2 Occurrences)
... Version "in an open place"; Genesis 38:21 the King James Version "openly")): A place
which lay between Adullam and Timnath; probably the same as Enam (Joshua 15 ...
/e/enaim.htm - 8k

Tappuah (8 Occurrences)
... 15:34). It is named between Engannim and Enam in a group of cities that
lay in the Northwest of the territory of Judah. Tristram ...
/t/tappuah.htm - 11k

Enan (9 Occurrences)

/e/enan.htm - 9k

Zanoah (5 Occurrences)
... W. Ewing. Multi-Version Concordance Zanoah (5 Occurrences). Joshua 15:34 Zanoah,
En Gannim, Tappuah, Enam, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/z/zanoah.htm - 9k

Zano'ah (4 Occurrences)
... Zano'ah (4 Occurrences). Joshua 15:34 and Zanoah, and En-gannim, Tappuah, and Enam;
(See RSV). Joshua 15:56 and Jezreel, and Jokdeam, and Zanoah; (See RSV). ...
/z/zano'ah.htm - 7k

Open (586 Occurrences)
... Open place. Genesis 38:14, 21, mar. Enaim; the same probably as Enam (Joshua
15:34), a city in the lowland or Shephelah. Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/o/open.htm - 41k

Gannim (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Gannim (3 Occurrences). Joshua 15:34 Zanoah, En Gannim,
Tappuah, Enam, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/g/gannim.htm - 7k

Tap'puah (5 Occurrences)
... Joshua 12:17 the king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one; (See RSV). Joshua
15:34 and Zanoah, and En-gannim, Tappuah, and Enam; (See RSV). ...
/t/tap'puah.htm - 7k

En-gannim (3 Occurrences)
... W. Ewing. Multi-Version Concordance En-gannim (3 Occurrences). Joshua 15:34 and
Zanoah, and En-gannim, Tappuah, and Enam, (ASV BBE DBY JPS WBS YLT NAS). ...
/e/en-gannim.htm - 9k

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