Etymology and Meaning
En-shemesh, meaning "spring of the sun" or "fountain of the sun," is a location mentioned in the Old Testament. The name reflects the ancient practice of naming places after natural features or celestial bodies, indicating the presence of a spring or water source associated with the sun.

Biblical References
En-shemesh is referenced in the context of territorial boundaries in the Bible. It is mentioned in the Book of Joshua as a landmark on the border between the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.

· Joshua 15:7 : "Then it went up to Debir from the Valley of Achor and turned northward toward Gilgal, which faces the Pass of Adummim south of the valley; it continued along to the waters of En-shemesh and came out at En-rogel."

· Joshua 18:17 : "It curved northward and went to En-shemesh, continued to Geliloth opposite the Pass of Adummim, and descended to the Stone of Bohan son of Reuben."

These passages highlight En-shemesh as a significant geographical marker in the delineation of tribal territories, underscoring its importance in the ancient landscape of Israel.

Geographical Context
En-shemesh is situated near the border of the tribal lands of Judah and Benjamin. Its proximity to other notable locations such as the Valley of Achor, Gilgal, and En-rogel suggests it was part of a well-traveled route in the region. The exact modern location of En-shemesh is debated among scholars, but it is generally thought to be near the modern-day Ain el-Hod or Ain el-Haniyeh, close to the road from Jerusalem to Jericho.

Historical and Theological Significance
The mention of En-shemesh in the context of tribal boundaries reflects the importance of water sources in the arid climate of ancient Israel. Springs and wells were vital for survival, agriculture, and settlement, making them key landmarks in territorial descriptions.

From a theological perspective, the delineation of tribal boundaries, including landmarks like En-shemesh, underscores the fulfillment of God's promises to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The allocation of land to the tribes of Israel was a tangible manifestation of the covenant relationship between God and His people, as described in the Pentateuch and historical books of the Old Testament.

Cultural and Archaeological Insights
While there is limited archaeological evidence directly associated with En-shemesh, the broader region has yielded significant findings that provide insights into the life and culture of ancient Israel. The strategic location of En-shemesh along a major route would have made it a critical point for trade and communication, contributing to the economic and social dynamics of the area.

In summary, En-shemesh serves as a testament to the intricate network of locations that defined the biblical landscape, playing a crucial role in the historical and spiritual narrative of the Israelites as recorded in the Scriptures.En-Shemesh

fountain, or eye, of the sun

Fountain of the sun a spring which formed one of the landmarks on the boundary between Judah and Benjamin (Joshua 15:7; 18:17). It was between the "ascent of Adummim" and the spring of En-rogel, and hence was on the east of Jerusalem and of the Mount of Olives. It is the modern `Ain-Haud i.e., the "well of the apostles" about a mile east of Bethany, the only spring on the road to Jericho. The sun shines on it the whole day long. EN-SHEMESH

en-she'-mesh (`en shemesh, "spring of the sun"):

An important landmark on the boundary line between Judah and Benjamin (Joshua 15:7; Joshua 18:17).

The little spring `Ain el chand, East of Bethany, the last spring on the road descending to Jericho, seems to suit the conditions. `Ain el chaud is usually called the "Apostles' Fountain" by Christians, on account of a tradition dating from the 15th century that the apostles drank there.

5885. En Shemesh -- "spring of (the) sun," a place on the border ...
En Shemesh. 5884, 5885. En Shemesh. 5886 . "spring of (the) sun," a place
on the border between Judah and Benjamin. Transliteration ...
/hebrew/5885.htm - 6kEnshemesh (2 Occurrences)
... en-she'-mesh (`enshemesh, "spring of the sun"): An important landmark on the boundary
line between Judah and Benjamin (Joshua 15:7 ...Enshemesh (2 Occurrences). ...
/e/enshemesh.htm - 8k

En-shemesh (2 Occurrences)
En-shemesh. Enshemesh, En-shemesh. En-she'mesh . Easton's Bible Dictionary ...
Enshemesh, En-shemesh. En-she'mesh . Reference Bible.
/e/en-shemesh.htm - 8k

En-she'mesh (2 Occurrences)
En-she'mesh. En-shemesh, En-she'mesh. Enshrouded . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(See RSV). En-shemesh, En-she'mesh. Enshrouded . Reference Bible.
/e/en-she'mesh.htm - 7k

En (19 Occurrences)
... It occurs in numerous compound words, as EN-GEDI, EN-HADDAH, EN-HAKKORE,
EN-HAZOR, EN-RIMMON, EN-ROGEL, EN-SHEMESH (which see). ...
/e/en.htm - 14k

Northward (41 Occurrences)
... river. The border passed along to the waters of EnShemesh, and ended at
En Rogel. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Joshua ...
/n/northward.htm - 21k

Geliloth (2 Occurrences)
... Geliloth lay on the boundary between Judah and Benjamin which passed En-shemesh
(probably `Ain el-Chod, about 2 miles East of Jerusalem), "and went out to ...
/g/geliloth.htm - 8k

Adummim (2 Occurrences)
... river. The border passed along to the waters of EnShemesh, and ended at
En Rogel. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Joshua ...
/a/adummim.htm - 8k

Adum'mim (2 Occurrences)
... Gilgal, that is over against the ascent of Adummim, which is on the south side of
the brook; and the border passed along to the waters of En-shemesh, and the ...
/a/adum'mim.htm - 7k

Shemesh (24 Occurrences)
... river. The border passed along to the waters of EnShemesh, and ended at
En Rogel. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Joshua ...
/s/shemesh.htm - 14k

Ascent (32 Occurrences)
... of the river. The border passed along to the waters of EnShemesh, and ended
at En Rogel. (WEB JPS ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV). Joshua 18 ...
/a/ascent.htm - 21k

What is the importance of the Dead Sea in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What will we be doing in Heaven? What will we do in Heaven? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about sun worship? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus