5877. En Chatsor
Lexical Summary
En Chatsor: En-hazor

Original Word: עֵין חָצוֹר
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: `Eyn Chatsowr
Pronunciation: ān khaw-TSORE
Phonetic Spelling: (ane khaw-tsore')
KJV: En-hazor
NASB: En-hazor
Word Origin: [from H5869 (עַיִן - eyes) and the same as H2674 (חָצוֹר - Hazor)]

1. fountain of a village
2. En-Chatsor, a place in Israel

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
En-hazor

From ayin and the same as Chatsowr; fountain of a village; En-Chatsor, a place in Palestine -- En-hazor.

see HEBREW ayin

see HEBREW Chatsowr

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from ayin and Chatsor
Definition
"a spring of Hazor," a city in Naphtali
NASB Translation
En-hazor (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
עֵין חָצוֺר proper name, of a location in Naphtali Joshua 19:37, πηγὴ Ασορ.

Topical Lexicon
Geographical Setting

En-Hazor lay within the highlands of Upper Galilee, on the eastern flank of the tribal inheritance of Naphtali. The terrain is rugged limestone interrupted by fertile valleys and reliable water sources. The town’s designation as a “spring” points to a perennial fountain that would have sustained agriculture, herds, and travelers along the north–south routes that skirted the Sea of Galilee and ascended toward Lebanon.

Biblical Context

When Joshua apportioned Canaan, En-Hazor appears among “the fortified cities” of Naphtali (Joshua 19:37). The list follows the summary statement, “This is the inheritance of the tribe of the descendants of Naphtali, according to their clans—the cities with their villages” (Joshua 19:39). The single mention underscores that even seemingly minor settlements were included in the covenantal distribution promised to Abraham (Genesis 15:18–21) and reaffirmed to Moses (Deuteronomy 34:4).

Historical Significance

1. Military security: Being classed with walled towns such as Hazor, Kedesh, and Beth-shemesh indicates that En-Hazor contributed to Naphtali’s defensive network against northern incursions.
2. Economic value: Springs were scarce, so any site controlling fresh water naturally became a point of trade and taxation.
3. Covenant fulfillment: Each named place was tangible evidence that “not one of the good promises which the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass” (Joshua 21:45).

Relationship to Hazor

Hazor was the pre-eminent Canaanite metropolis in the north (Joshua 11:10). The paired names—Hazor and En-Hazor—suggest administrative or familial links: the main city perched on an elevated tell, while its satellite guarded the water source below. This arrangement mirrors other doublets in Scripture where an “upper” settlement is tied to a “lower” or “spring” counterpart (for example, Beth-horon in Joshua 16:3, 16:5).

Archaeological Considerations

Proposed sites include ʿAin Hazur southwest of Safed, ʿAin el-Helweh north of Kedesh, and ʿAin Hazzur spring near modern Chorazim. Surveys note Iron Age pottery, terrace agriculture, and proximity to defensible ridges—characteristics consistent with a fortified Israelite village. No definitive inscription has surfaced, but the convergence of name, water source, and strategic location keeps these identifications under active study.

Theological and Ministry Insights

• God assigns value to obscure places. Although En-Hazor appears only once, its inclusion in Scripture reminds believers that every community—and every believer—has a part in the larger redemptive plan (1 Corinthians 12:18).
• Springs symbolize spiritual refreshment (Psalm 87:7; John 7:38). As En-Hazor sustained physical life in a rocky land, so the indwelling Spirit sustains the church amid cultural barrenness.
• Faithful stewardship of resources: The spring had to be protected, maintained, and shared; likewise ministries are to guard sound doctrine and provide living water to all who thirst (2 Timothy 1:14; Revelation 22:17).

Lessons for Today

1. Cherish overlooked assignments—God records them.
2. Guard the “springs” of truth and grace entrusted to each fellowship.
3. Recognize that spiritual strongholds often arise where life-giving resources are found; therefore, vigilance and prayer are essential for both physical and spiritual well-being.

Forms and Transliterations
חָצֽוֹר׃ חצור׃ chaTzor ḥā·ṣō·wr ḥāṣōwr
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Joshua 19:37
HEB: וְאֶדְרֶ֖עִי וְעֵ֥ין חָצֽוֹר׃
NAS: and Kedesh and Edrei and En-hazor,
KJV: And Kedesh, and Edrei, and Enhazor,
INT: and Kedesh and Edrei and En-hazor

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 5877
1 Occurrence


ḥā·ṣō·wr — 1 Occ.

5876
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