370. ayin
Lexical Summary
ayin: Eye, spring, fountain

Original Word: אַיִן
Part of Speech: adverb
Transliteration: aiyn
Pronunciation: ah'-yin
Phonetic Spelling: (ah-yin')
KJV: whence, where
NASB: where
Word Origin: [probably identical with H369 (אַיִן - there is no) in the sense of query]

1. where?
2. (with prepositional prefix) whence?

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
whence, where

Probably identical with 'ayin in the sense of query (compare 'iy); --where? (only in connection with prepositional prefix, whence) -- whence, where.

see HEBREW 'ayin

see HEBREW 'iy

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from ay
Definition
whence?
NASB Translation
where (15), where* (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
I. [אַ֫יִן] adverb (from אַי; Assyrian aina, ainu, Arabic where? whence?) only in the compound מֵאַ֫יִן17 whence? Genesis 29:4; Genesis 42:7 (synonym אֵימִֿזֶּה e.g. Genesis 16:8; 1 Samuel 30:13) Judges 17:9; Judges 19:17; Job 1:7 (Job 2:2 אֵימִֿזֶּה); used in a rhetorical or poetic style (where אֵימִֿזֶּה would be too prosaic) Numbers 11:13 מֵאַיִן לִי בָּשָׂר whence have I flesh etc. ? 2 Kings 6:27; Jeremiah 30:7 Alas! for that day is great; מֵאַיִן כָּמוֺהוּ whence is its like ? (see also II. אַיִן near the end) Nahum 3:7; Psalm 121:1; Job 28:12,20; in an indirect sentence Joshua 2:4 (compare אֵימִֿזֶּה 1 Samuel 25:11).

I. [אַ֫יִן], מֵאַ֫יִן whence? see below אַי



Topical Lexicon
Semantic Nuances of אַיִן (ayin, “where?”)

Used 16 times, אַיִן functions solely as an interrogative adverb of place. It does not express doubt about God’s existence but raises questions that invite disclosure, self-examination, and recognition of dependence.

Occurrences across the Canon

Narrative Books: Genesis 29:4; 42:7; Numbers 11:13; Joshua 2:4; 9:8; Judges 17:9; 19:17; 2 Kings 6:27; 20:14

Wisdom and Poetry: Job 1:7; 28:12, 20; Psalm 121:1

Prophets: Isaiah 39:3; Jonah 1:8; Nahum 3:7

Locational Identity in Covenant History

In patriarchal and conquest settings the word frames basic introductions: “Where are you from?” (Genesis 29:4; Joshua 9:8). The question establishes personal identity, clan allegiance, and covenant accountability. In Genesis 42:7 the same query exposes Joseph’s brothers while advancing God’s redemptive plan for Israel.

Dependence and Provision

Moses laments, “Where can I get meat for all these people?” (Numbers 11:13). The king of Israel echoes the same helplessness: “If the LORD does not help you, where can I get help for you?” (2 Kings 6:27). The interrogative underscores that human leaders cannot supply ultimate provision; it drives hearers to the LORD as sole provider.

Wisdom’s Elusiveness

Job reaches the philosophical climax of his discourse: “But where can wisdom be found…? From where then does wisdom come?” (Job 28:12, 20). The rhetorical use moves the focus from earthly mines to the fear of the LORD (Job 28:28), preparing the reader for divine revelation that surpasses human probing.

Divine Interrogation and Accountability

The first biblical instance of God’s use of אַיִן: “Where have you come from?” (Job 1:7). The omniscient LORD questions Satan, not for information but to summon testimony and establish judicial context. Similar prophetic inquiries to Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:14; Isaiah 39:3) expose misplaced trust in foreign alliances. Jonah 1:8 shows pagans adopting the same interrogative to uncover guilt and responsibility.

Eschatological Ruin and Comfort

Nahum 3:7 directs the question toward Nineveh’s fall: “Where can I find anyone to comfort you?” The absence of an answer seals the pronouncement of irreversible judgment, contrasting sharply with the promise of comfort reserved for Zion (Isaiah 40:1).

Pilgrimage and Assurance

Psalm 121:1 reorients the question heavenward: “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?” The ensuing confession (“My help comes from the LORD”) transforms the anxious question into a statement of covenant security for every sojourner.

Ministry Applications

• Pastoral counseling: Following the pattern of Scripture, well-placed “where” questions invite self-reflection without accusation.
• Preaching: The word highlights human insufficiency and directs hearers to the sufficiency of God in Christ.
• Discipleship: Encourage believers to ask, “Where is my trust anchored?” echoing Psalm 121.
• Evangelism: Use Job 28 to point seekers to the location of true wisdom—revealed fully in the gospel (1 Corinthians 1:24-30).

Christological Trajectory

Though אַיִן never appears in the New Testament, its redemptive trajectory culminates when Nathanael asks, “Where did You get to know me?” and Jesus answers by revealing His omniscience (John 1:48-50). Every Old Testament “where?” finds resolution in the incarnate Word who declares, “I am the way” (John 14:6), removing the uncertainty of location by becoming the locus of salvation.

Summary

אַיִן functions less as a request for geographical data and more as a theological doorway. It exposes need, prompts confession, solicits wisdom, and ultimately directs attention to the LORD, the only adequate answer to every “Where?” raised in the human heart.

Forms and Transliterations
וּמֵאַ֙יִן֙ וּמֵאַ֣יִן וּמֵאַ֥יִן ומאין מֵ֝אַ֗יִן מֵאַ֖יִן מֵאַ֛יִן מֵאַ֣יִן מֵאַ֤יִן מֵאַ֥יִן מאין mê’ayin mê·’a·yin meAyin ū·mê·’a·yin ūmê’ayin umeAyin
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Genesis 29:4
HEB: יַעֲקֹ֔ב אַחַ֖י מֵאַ֣יִן אַתֶּ֑ם וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ
NAS: to them, My brothers, where are you from? And they said,
KJV: unto them, My brethren, whence [be] ye? And they said,
INT: Jacob my brothers where and they said

Genesis 42:7
HEB: וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲלֵהֶם֙ מֵאַ֣יִן בָּאתֶ֔ם וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ
NAS: And he said to them, Where have you come
KJV: unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come
INT: said to Where come said

Numbers 11:13
HEB: מֵאַ֤יִן לִי֙ בָּשָׂ֔ר
KJV: Whence should I have flesh to give
INT: Whence meat to give

Joshua 2:4
HEB: וְלֹ֥א יָדַ֖עְתִּי מֵאַ֥יִן הֵֽמָּה׃
NAS: to me, but I did not know where they were from.
KJV: unto me, but I wist not whence they [were]:
INT: did not know where like

Joshua 9:8
HEB: מִ֥י אַתֶּ֖ם וּמֵאַ֥יִן תָּבֹֽאוּ׃
NAS: to them, Who are you and where do you come
KJV: said unto them, Who [are] ye? and from whence come
INT: Who are you and where come

Judges 17:9
HEB: ל֥וֹ מִיכָ֖ה מֵאַ֣יִן תָּב֑וֹא וַיֹּ֨אמֶר
NAS: said to him, Where do you come
KJV: said unto him, Whence comest
INT: said Micah Where come said

Judges 19:17
HEB: אָ֥נָה תֵלֵ֖ךְ וּמֵאַ֥יִן תָּבֽוֹא׃
NAS: are you going, and where do you come
KJV: Whither goest thou? and whence comest
INT: Where going and where come

2 Kings 6:27
HEB: יוֹשִׁעֵ֣ךְ יְהוָ֔ה מֵאַ֖יִן אֽוֹשִׁיעֵ֑ךְ הֲמִן־
NAS: does not help you, from where shall I help
KJV: do not help thee, whence shall I help
INT: help the LORD where help From

2 Kings 20:14
HEB: הָאֲנָשִׁ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה וּמֵאַ֙יִן֙ יָבֹ֣אוּ אֵלֶ֔יךָ
NAS: say, and from where have they come
KJV: these men? and from whence came
INT: men these where come about

Job 1:7
HEB: אֶל־ הַשָּׂטָ֖ן מֵאַ֣יִן תָּבֹ֑א וַיַּ֨עַן
NAS: to Satan, From where do you come?
KJV: unto Satan, Whence comest
INT: to Satan where comest answered

Job 28:12
HEB: וְֽ֭הַחָכְמָה מֵאַ֣יִן תִּמָּצֵ֑א וְאֵ֥י
NAS: But where can wisdom be found?
KJV: But where shall wisdom be found?
INT: wisdom where be found how

Job 28:20
HEB: וְֽ֭הַחָכְמָה מֵאַ֣יִן תָּב֑וֹא וְאֵ֥י
NAS: Where then does wisdom come
KJV: Whence then cometh wisdom?
INT: wisdom Where come and where

Psalm 121:1
HEB: אֶל־ הֶהָרִ֑ים מֵ֝אַ֗יִן יָבֹ֥א עֶזְרִֽי׃
NAS: to the mountains; From where shall my help
KJV: unto the hills, from whence cometh
INT: to the mountains where cometh shall my help

Isaiah 39:3
HEB: הָאֲנָשִׁ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה וּמֵאַ֙יִן֙ יָבֹ֣אוּ אֵלֶ֔יךָ
NAS: say, and from where have they come
KJV: these men? and from whence came
INT: another these where come about

Jonah 1:8
HEB: מַה־ מְּלַאכְתְּךָ֙ וּמֵאַ֣יִן תָּב֔וֹא מָ֣ה
NAS: is your occupation? And where do you come
KJV: [is] upon us; What [is] thine occupation? and whence comest
INT: What business whence come What

Nahum 3:7
HEB: יָנ֣וּד לָ֑הּ מֵאַ֛יִן אֲבַקֵּ֥שׁ מְנַחֲמִ֖ים
NAS: will grieve for her?' Where will I seek
KJV: who will bemoan her? whence shall I seek
INT: Who will grieve Where seek comforters

16 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 370
16 Occurrences


mê·’a·yin — 11 Occ.
ū·mê·’a·yin — 5 Occ.

369
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