Etymology and Location:
Gedi, more commonly referred to as En Gedi, is a significant location mentioned in the Bible. The name "En Gedi" translates to "spring of the kid" or "fountain of the goat," reflecting its lush, fertile environment amidst the arid Judean Desert. It is situated on the western shore of the Dead Sea, approximately midway between the northern and southern ends of the sea. This oasis is renowned for its perennial springs and rich vegetation, making it a vital resource in the otherwise barren landscape.

Biblical References:
En Gedi is mentioned several times in the Bible, primarily in the context of its natural beauty and strategic importance. One of the most notable references is found in 1 Samuel 24:1-2, where David seeks refuge from King Saul: "After Saul had returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, 'David is in the Desert of En Gedi.' So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats" . This passage highlights En Gedi as a place of refuge and strategic advantage due to its rugged terrain and abundant resources.

In 2 Chronicles 20:2, En Gedi is mentioned in the context of a military threat: "Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, 'A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar' (that is, En Gedi)" . This reference underscores En Gedi's strategic location as a point of entry for invading forces.

Historical and Cultural Significance:
En Gedi's significance extends beyond its biblical mentions. Historically, it was a center for agriculture, particularly known for its date palms and balsam plants, which were highly valued in ancient times. The balsam produced in En Gedi was used for perfumes and medicinal purposes, contributing to the area's economic importance.

The oasis also served as a monastic center during the Byzantine period, with evidence of monastic communities seeking solitude and spiritual reflection in its remote and serene environment. The natural beauty and isolation of En Gedi made it an ideal location for those pursuing a life of contemplation and prayer.

Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons:
En Gedi serves as a powerful symbol of God's provision and protection. In the midst of a harsh desert, it stands as a testament to the sustenance and refuge that God provides for His people. The account of David's refuge in En Gedi illustrates themes of divine protection and the importance of seeking God's guidance in times of distress.

The lushness of En Gedi amidst the surrounding barrenness can also be seen as a metaphor for spiritual renewal and the life-giving presence of God. Just as the springs of En Gedi bring life to the desert, so too does God's presence bring spiritual vitality to the believer's life.

Modern-Day En Gedi:
Today, En Gedi is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors with its stunning natural beauty, archaeological sites, and wildlife. The En Gedi Nature Reserve offers hiking trails that lead to waterfalls, caves, and ancient ruins, allowing visitors to experience the same landscape that played a significant role in biblical history. The preservation of this site allows for continued reflection on its historical and spiritual significance.5872. En Gedi -- "spring of a kid," a place on W. shore of the ...
En Gedi. 5871b, 5872. En Gedi. 5873 . "spring of a kid," a place on
W. shore of the Dead Sea. Transliteration: En Gedi Phonetic ...
/hebrew/5872.htm - 6k

1423. gedi -- a kid (a young goat)
... 1422, 1423. gedi. 1424 . a kid (a young goat). Transliteration: gedi Phonetic
Spelling: (ghed-ee') Short Definition: goat. ... 1422, 1423. gedi. 1424 . ...
/hebrew/1423.htm - 6k

1429. gediyyah -- a kid (a young goat)
... Word Origin fem. of gedi Definition a kid (a young goat) NASB Word Usage young goats
(1). kid. Feminine of gdiy; a young female goat -- kid. see HEBREW gdiy. ...
/hebrew/1429.htm - 6k

The Coast of the Asphaltites, the Essenes. En-Gedi.
... En-gedi. ... But now Tamar and En-gedi are the same, 2 Chronicles 20:2. Nor have
we any reason why we should seek another Tamar elsewhere. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 6 the coast of.htm

In Him: Like Him
... We have fled for refuge to him who is the hope set before us in the gospel; even
as David and his men sheltered themselves in the eaves of En-gedi, so we hide ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 29 1883/in him like him.htm

A Sight of Judea
... What is the mountainous country of Judea? It is the king's mountain. The plain of
it is the plain of the south. The vale is from En-gedi to Jericho. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 9 a sight of.htm

Love for Hate, the True Quid Pro Quo
... hard pressed by Saul, and had given him the opportunity of flight to the wild country
on the west of the Dead Sea, near the place where En-Gedi ('the Fountain ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/love for hate the true.htm

The Unsatisfied Life and Its Remedy
... My Beloved is unto me as a bundle of myrrh,. That lieth betwixt my breasts. My beloved
is unto me as a cluster of henna-flowers. In the vineyards of En-gedi. ...
/.../taylor/union and communion/section i the unsatisfied life.htm

From the Talmud and Hebraica
... Chapter 5 The Sea of Sodom. Chapter 6 The Coast of the Asphaltites, The
Essenes. En-gedi. Chapter 7 Kadesh. Rekam, and that double. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

En-gedi (6 Occurrences)
En-gedi. Engedi, En-gedi. Enge'di . Int. ... EN-GEDI. en'-ge-di, en-ge'-di (`en
gedhi, "fountain of the kid"): Identical with the present Ain Jidi. ...
/e/en-gedi.htm - 10k

Gedi (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Gedi (6 Occurrences). Joshua 15:62 Nibshan, the
City of Salt, and En Gedi; six cities with their villages. ...
/g/gedi.htm - 8k

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

En-ge'di (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance En-ge'di (5 Occurrences). Joshua 15:62 and Nibshan, and
the City of Salt, and En-gedi; six cities with their villages. (See RSV). ...
/e/en-ge'di.htm - 7k

Ziz (1 Occurrence)
... Projecting; a flower, a cleft or pass, probably that near En-gedi, which leads up
from the Dead Sea (2 Chronicles 20:16) in the direction of Tekoa; now Tell ...
/z/ziz.htm - 7k

Engedi (6 Occurrences)
... (see APPLE.). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. EN-GEDI. en'-ge-di, en-ge'-di
(`en gedhi, "fountain of the kid"): Identical with the present Ain Jidi. ...
/e/engedi.htm - 11k

Ascent (32 Occurrences)
... ziz (ma`aleh ha-tsits; Hasae, Hasisa): A pass in the wilderness of Judea (2 Chronicles
20:16) leading from Hazazon-tamar (En-gedi, 2 Chronicles 20:2). This is ...
/a/ascent.htm - 21k

Vine (76 Occurrences)
... The vineyards of En-gedi (Cant. ... (see EN-GEDI.) The people of Israel are referred
to here by Moses as being utterly corrupt, bringing forth only bitter fruit. ...
/v/vine.htm - 46k

En-eglaim (1 Occurrence)
... stand" (Ezekiel 47:10). The situation must be near the entrance of the Jordan
into the Dead Sea (see EN-GEDI). Tristram (Bible Places ...
/e/en-eglaim.htm - 7k

Goat (92 Occurrences)
... (Comp. Jeremiah 50:8.). (3.) Hebrews gedi, properly a kid. Its flesh was a delicacy
among the Hebrews (Genesis 27:9, 14, 17; Judges 6:19). ...
/g/goat.htm - 48k

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