Lexical Summary Enan: Enan Original Word: עֵינָן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Enan From ayin; having eyes; Enan, an Israelite -- Enan. Compare Chatsar 'Eynan. see HEBREW ayin see HEBREW Chatsar 'Eynan NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ayin Definition "having fountains," a man of Naphtali NASB Translation Enan (5). Topical Lexicon Occurrences and Narrative Setting Enan appears five times in the Pentateuch, all within the Sinai narratives (Numbers 1:15; 2:29; 7:78; 7:83; 10:27). In every instance he is identified as the father of Ahira, the divinely appointed leader of the tribe of Naphtali during Israel’s years in the wilderness. Though Enan himself never speaks or acts in the text, his name anchors the lineage of a tribal chief at crucial junctures—census, camp arrangement, dedication of the altar, and the marching order. Scripture thereby preserves the memory of a man whose paternal influence stood behind one of the twelve representative heads of Israel. Historical Context The references to Enan belong to the second year after the Exodus (compare Numbers 1:1 with Exodus 40:17). Israel is camped “at the Tent of Meeting in the Wilderness of Sinai” (Numbers 1:1), receiving God-given structures of worship and governance. Tribal leaders are named to facilitate census taking, oversee military muster, present offerings, and maintain orderly procession. The inclusion of Enan’s household in these records affirms Naphtali’s full participation in covenant life. Father of Ahira: Significance in Tribal Leadership Ahira son of Enan stands alongside men such as Nahshon of Judah and Elishama of Ephraim. Moses does not present these chiefs as self-selected but as “leaders of the tribes, heads of their clans” (Numbers 1:16). Consequently, Enan’s paternity testifies to the covenantal principle that leadership in Israel was ordinarily rooted in family legitimacy, recognized by both congregation and divine appointment. The silence regarding Enan’s achievements is itself instructive: the faithfulness of an earlier generation often finds its fullest expression in the fruit borne through its children’s service. Encampment and Marching Order In the fixed camp, Naphtali is positioned on the north side, forming the rear division of the camp of Dan (Numbers 2:25-29). When the cloud lifts, “the division of the camp of the sons of Naphtali, with Ahira son of Enan at its helm,” breaks camp last (Numbers 10:27). This arrangement underscores the complementary roles assigned to each tribe. Though Naphtali marches last, the tribe’s presence completes the nation’s protective shield around the Tabernacle, illustrating that no task is insignificant when directed by the Lord. Participation in the Dedication Offerings On the twelfth day of the altar dedication each tribal leader brings an identical but individually recorded gift. “On the twelfth day Ahira son of Enan, the leader of Naphtali, brought his offering” (Numbers 7:78). The detailed list (Numbers 7:83) affirms that Naphtali’s contribution, and by extension the house of Enan, is neither secondary nor forgotten before God. The narrative demonstration of equality among tribes anticipates the New-Covenant principle that every believer, regardless of prominence, offers spiritual sacrifices acceptable through Jesus Christ. Ministry Insights and Theological Reflections 1. Covenant Continuity: Enan’s name regularly paired with his son highlights generational continuity in God’s purposes. The Lord’s faithfulness extends “to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments” (Exodus 20:6). Practical Application for Contemporary Believers • Take seriously the spiritual legacy you are establishing; faithful parenting remains a potent ministry. In sum, the brief biblical footprint of Enan invites readers to value generational faithfulness, to honor the God-ordained structures within the covenant community, and to rest in the assurance that the Lord records and rewards every act of obedience, however modest it may seem. Forms and Transliterations עֵינָֽן׃ עינן׃ ‘ê·nān ‘ênān eiNanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 1:15 HEB: אֲחִירַ֖ע בֶּן־ עֵינָֽן׃ NAS: Ahira the son of Enan. KJV: Ahira the son of Enan. INT: Ahira the son of Enan Numbers 2:29 Numbers 7:78 Numbers 7:83 Numbers 10:27 5 Occurrences |
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