Geographical Location:
Engedi, also known as En Gedi, is an oasis located on the western shore of the Dead Sea, approximately midway between the northern and southern ends of the sea. It is situated in the Judean Desert, characterized by rugged terrain and arid conditions. The name "Engedi" means "spring of the kid" or "fountain of the goat," reflecting the area's natural springs and the presence of wild goats.

Biblical References:
Engedi is mentioned several times in the Bible, primarily in the context of King David's life. It is first noted in the Book of Joshua as part of the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:62). Engedi's most significant biblical association is with David, who sought refuge there while fleeing from King Saul.

1. David's Refuge:
Engedi is famously known as the place where David hid from Saul. In 1 Samuel 23:29, it is recorded, "And David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of Engedi." The rugged cliffs and caves of Engedi provided a natural fortress for David and his men. In 1 Samuel 24, David spares Saul's life in a cave at Engedi, demonstrating his respect for Saul as the Lord's anointed. The passage reads, "After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, 'David is in the Desert of Engedi.'" (1 Samuel 24:1).

2. Prophetic Imagery:
Engedi is also mentioned in the prophetic literature of the Old Testament. In Ezekiel 47:10, the prophet envisions a future time when the waters of the Dead Sea will be healed, and fishermen will stand along its shores from Engedi to Eneglaim, casting their nets. This imagery symbolizes restoration and abundance.

3. Song of Solomon:
Engedi is referenced in the Song of Solomon as a place of beauty and fertility. In Song of Solomon 1:14, the beloved says, "My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of Engedi." This reference highlights the lush and verdant nature of the oasis, contrasting with the surrounding desert.

Historical and Archaeological Significance:
Engedi has been a site of human habitation and agriculture for millennia. Archaeological excavations have uncovered remains of ancient settlements, including a Chalcolithic temple and a Roman-period synagogue. The oasis was known for its production of balsam, a valuable resin used in perfumes and medicinal ointments, which was highly prized in the ancient world.

Natural Features:
The oasis of Engedi is fed by several perennial springs, which create a lush environment amidst the desert. The area is home to diverse flora and fauna, including date palms, acacia trees, and the Nubian ibex, a species of wild goat. The presence of water and vegetation makes Engedi a vital habitat for wildlife and a popular destination for modern visitors seeking to experience its natural beauty.

Spiritual Lessons:
Engedi serves as a powerful symbol of God's provision and protection. For David, it was a place of refuge and safety during a time of great danger. The account of David sparing Saul's life at Engedi is a profound lesson in mercy, humility, and the recognition of God's sovereignty. Engedi's mention in prophetic and poetic texts underscores themes of restoration, beauty, and divine blessing.Engedi

Fountain of the kid, 1 Samuel 24:1,3; called also Hazezon-Tamar, that is, the city of palm-trees, there being great numbers of palm-trees around it, Genesis 14:7 2 Chronicles 20:1,2. It stood near the middle of the western shore of the Dead sea, twenty-five or thirty miles south- east of Jerusalem, in the edge of the loftiest part of the wilderness of Judea, a region full of rocks and caverns, 1 Samuel 23:29 Ezekiel 47:10. See cut in SEA, 3. The heights of En-gedi are fifteen hundred feet above the Dead Sea. At four hundred feet from the sea a fine and copious fountain, still bearing its ancient name, flows down to the sea, watering in its course a fruitful valley and a plain half a mile square, in both of which ruins are found. The mountainside was formerly terraced, and the whole spot was on oasis of fertility, So 1:14.

Fountain of the kid, place in the wilderness of Judah (Joshua 15:62), on the western shore of the Dead Sea (Ezek. 47:10), and nearly equidistant from both extremities. To the wilderness near this town David fled for fear of Saul (Joshua 15:62; 1 Samuel 23:29). It was at first called Hazezon-tamar (Genesis 14:7), a city of the Amorites.

The vineyards of Engedi were celebrated in Solomon's time (Cant. 1:4). It is the modern `Ain Jidy. The "fountain" from which it derives its name rises on the mountain side about 600 feet above the sea, and in its rapid descent spreads luxuriance all around it. Along its banks the osher grows abundantly. That shrub is thus described by Porter: "The stem is stout, measuring sometimes nearly a foot in diameter, and the plant grows to the height of 15 feet or more. It has a grayish bark and long oval leaves, which when broken off discharge a milky fluid. The fruit resembles an apple, and hangs in clusters of two or three. When ripe it is of a rich yellow colour, but on being pressed it explodes like a puff-ball. It is chiefly filled with air...This is the so-called `apple of Sodom.'" Through Samaria, etc. (see APPLE.)

EN-GEDI

en'-ge-di, en-ge'-di (`en gedhi, "fountain of the kid"):

Identical with the present Ain Jidi. According to 2 Chronicles 20:2 it is the same as Hazazon-tamar, mentioned in Genesis 14:7 as occupied by the Amorites and as having been attacked by Chedorlaomer after leaving Kadesh and El Paran on his way to the Vale of Siddim. The place is situated upon the West shore of the Dead Sea about midway between the North and the South ends, and was included in the territory of Judah (Joshua 15:62). The spot is rendered attractive by the verdure clothing it by reason of immense fountains of warm water, 80 degrees F., which pour out from beneath the limestone cliffs.

In the time of Solomon (Songs 1:14) palms and vines were cultivated here. Josephus also mentions its beautiful palm groves.

In the time of Eusebius it was still a place of importance, but since the Middle Ages it has been almost deserted, being occupied now only by a few Arabs. The oasis occupies a small area a few hundred feet above the Dead Sea marked by the 650 ft. sedimentary terrace heretofore described (see DEAD SEA). The limestone borders rise so abruptly to a height of 2,000 ft. immediately on the West, that the place can be approached only by a rock-cut path. Two streams, Wady Sugeir and Wady el-Areyeh, descend on either side through precipitous rocky gorges from the uninhabitable wilderness separating it from Bethlehem and Hebron. It was in the caves opening out from the sides of these gorges that David took refuge from Saul (1 Samuel 24:1). During the reign of Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20:2), the children of Ammon, Moab and Mt. Seir attempted to invade Judah by way of En-gedi, but were easily defeated as they came up from the gorges to occupy the advantageous field of battle chosen by Jehoshaphat.

George Frederick Wright

5872. En Gedi -- "spring of a kid," a place on W. shore of the ...
... En Gedi. 5873 . "spring of a kid," a place on W. shore of the Dead Sea.
Transliteration: En Gedi Phonetic Spelling: (ane geh'-dee) Short Definition: Engedi. ...
/hebrew/5872.htm - 6k

How David, when He had Twice the Opportunity of Killing Saul did ...
... he staid there the men of Keilah would deliver him up to Saul, he took his four
hundred men and retired into a desert that was over against a city called Engedi ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 how david when.htm

Concerning Jehoshaphat Again; How He Constituted Judges And,
... time the Moabites and Ammonites made an expedition against Jehoshaphat, and took
with them a great body of Arabians, and pitched their camp at Engedi, a city ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 concerning jehoshaphat again.htm

The Exile --Continued.
... VII."THE EXILE"CONTINUED. There are many echoes of this period of Engedi
in the Psalms. Perhaps the most distinctly audible ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/vii the exilecontinued.htm

Chapter xiv
... time they were established at "Hazazon Tamar." This name would mean "the sandy country
of palms." According to 2 Chronicles 20:2 this was Engedi on the western ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xiv.htm

David's Anger
... Twice he has Saul in his power: once in the cave at Engedi, once at the camp at
Hachilah, and both times he refuses nobly to use his opportunity. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/david/sermon iii davids anger.htm

Baptism unto Repentance
... we are speaking, an extraordinary sect, known as the Essenes, was scattered throughout
Palestine, but had its special home in the oasis of Engedi; and with the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/vi baptism unto repentance.htm

The Beatific vision.
... Perhaps he had composed it in the night, as he lay either in the cave of Adullam
or Engedi, hiding from Saul among the cliffs of the wild goats; and meant to ...
/.../kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xxvii the beatific vision.htm

The Hope of Future Bliss
... with the hope of future bliss.; As for me," says the patriarch, casting his eyes
aloft; As for me," said the hunted chieftain of the caves of Engedi""As for ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the hope of future bliss.htm

Christ's Estimate of his People
... place, all the scenery is in the land of Canaan, none of it in Egypt; and besides
that, all the places that Solomon speaks of, such as Engedi, Lebanon, Amana ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/christs estimate of his people.htm

More and More
... comfort and delight. When an exile he had made the rocky fastnesses of Adullam
and Engedi resound with the name of Jehovah. In after ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/more and more.htm

Engedi (6 Occurrences)
... The vineyards of Engedi were celebrated in Solomon's time (Cant. 1:4). It is the
modern `Ain Jidy. ... Multi-Version Concordance Engedi (6 Occurrences). ...
/e/engedi.htm - 11k

Camphire (2 Occurrences)
... It is found only at Engedi, on the shore of the Dead Sea. ... Song of Songs 1:14 My beloved
is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi. (KJV). ...
/c/camphire.htm - 8k

Cities (427 Occurrences)
... four kings coming up from Kadesh attacked the Amorites "that dwelt in Hazezon-tamar"
before reaching Sodom, and Hazezon-tamar is to be identified with Engedi. ...
/c/cities.htm - 91k

Ciccar
... four kings coming up from Kadesh attacked the Amorites "that dwelt in Hazezon-tamar"
before reaching Sodom, and Hazezon-tamar is to be identified with Engedi. ...
/c/ciccar.htm - 14k

Plain (113 Occurrences)
... four kings coming up from Kadesh attacked the Amorites "that dwelt in Hazezon-tamar"
before reaching Sodom, and Hazezon-tamar is to be identified with Engedi. ...
/p/plain.htm - 71k

En-gedi (6 Occurrences)
En-gedi. Engedi, En-gedi. Enge'di . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia EN-GEDI. ...
(ASV BBE DBY JPS WBS YLT). Engedi, En-gedi. Enge'di . Reference Bible.
/e/en-gedi.htm - 10k

Essenes
... thousands of ages (seculorum) in which no one is born; so fruitful to them is
repentance of life in others." He refers to the fertility of Engedi and adds ...
/e/essenes.htm - 38k

Apocalyptic
... Those of them that formed the Community of Engedi by their very dreamy seclusion
would be especially ready to see visions and dream dreams. ...
/a/apocalyptic.htm - 42k

Literature (2 Occurrences)
... Those of them that formed the Community of Engedi by their very dreamy seclusion
would be especially ready to see visions and dream dreams. ...
/l/literature.htm - 82k

Kohathites (18 Occurrences)
... We read of the Kohathites in the reign of Jehoshaphat at Engedi (2 Chronicles
20:19), and in connection with the cleansing of the temple under Hezekiah (2 ...
/k/kohathites.htm - 15k

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