Ain
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Topical Encyclopedia
Etymology and Meaning:
The name "Ain" (Hebrew: עַיִן) means "spring" or "fountain" in Hebrew. It is often associated with water sources, which were vital for survival and prosperity in the arid regions of the ancient Near East.

Biblical References:
Ain is mentioned in the Bible primarily in the context of geographical locations and tribal boundaries. It appears in the Old Testament as part of the territorial descriptions of the Promised Land.

1. Tribal Allotment of Naphtali:
Ain is listed among the fortified cities in the territory allotted to the tribe of Naphtali. In Joshua 19:38, the text states: "Iron, Migdal-el, Horem, Beth-anath, and Beth-shemesh—nineteen cities, along with their villages." Ain is included in this list, indicating its significance as a settlement within Naphtali's inheritance.

2. Levitical Cities:
Ain is also mentioned as one of the cities given to the Levites. In 1 Chronicles 6:73, it is recorded: "Ramoth and its pasturelands, and Anem and its pasturelands." This reference highlights Ain's role as a Levitical city, providing for the needs of the priestly tribe who served in the temple and religious duties.

3. Boundary Marker:
Ain serves as a boundary marker in the delineation of tribal territories. In Numbers 34:11, the description of the northern border of the land of Canaan includes Ain: "The border will go down from Shepham to Riblah on the east side of Ain and continue along the slopes east of the Sea of Chinnereth." This indicates Ain's geographical importance in defining the extent of the land promised to the Israelites.

Historical and Archaeological Insights:
While the exact location of Ain is not definitively identified today, it is generally associated with sites that have natural springs or water sources, consistent with its name. The presence of water would have made Ain a strategic and valuable location in ancient times, supporting agriculture and settlement.

Theological Significance:
Ain's inclusion in the biblical narrative underscores the importance of water and fertile land in God's provision for His people. The allocation of Ain to the Levites also reflects the provision for those dedicated to spiritual service, ensuring they had the resources necessary to fulfill their religious duties.

Cultural Context:
In the ancient Near East, cities like Ain that were associated with springs or fountains were crucial for sustaining life and facilitating trade. The mention of Ain in the context of tribal boundaries and Levitical cities highlights the organized distribution of land among the tribes of Israel, as well as the integration of religious and practical considerations in the settlement of the land.

Conclusion:
Ain, as a biblical location, serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of geography, resource allocation, and divine provision in the history of Israel. Its role in the tribal allotments and as a Levitical city reflects the broader themes of God's faithfulness and the practical outworking of His promises to His people.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Ain

same as Aiath

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Ain

(spring, well).

  1. One of the landmarks on the eastern boundary of Palestine. (Numbers 34:11) It is probably Ain el-Azy , the main source of the Orontes.
  2. One of the southernmost cities of Judah, (Joshua 15:32) afterwards allotted to Simeon, (Joshua 19:7; 1 Chronicles 4:32) and given to the priests. (Joshua 21:16)
ATS Bible Dictionary
Ain

Fountain, spelt EN in the English Sisle, in compound words, as En- rogel. It is the name of a city of Judah, afterwards assigned to Simeon, Joshua 15:32; 1 Chronicles 4:32. Also of a place in the north of Canaan, Numbers 34:11.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
AIN (2)

a'-in (`ayin, "eye or spring (of water)"):

(1) A town in the extreme Northwest corner of Canaan, so named, most probably, from a noted spring in the vicinity (Numbers 34:11). Thomson and after him Robinson make Ain the same as `Ain el-`Asy, the chief source of the Orontes, some fifteen miles Southwest of Riblah, which, in turn, is about twenty miles Southwest of Emesa (Hums). As Ain is named in connection with Lake Gennesaret, some claim that Riblah of Numbers 34:11 must be another place farther South and closer to that lake.

(2) A Levitical city (Joshua 21:16) in the Negeb or southern part of Judah. It was first allotted to the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:32) but later to Simeon (Joshua 19:7). The fact that it is several times named in immediate connection with Rimmon has lent plausibility to the view that we have here a compound word, and that we should read En-Rimmon, i.e. Ain-Rimmon (see Joshua 15:32; Joshua 19:7 1 Chronicles 4:32). See also AYIN.

W. W. Davies

AIN (1)

See AYIN.

Greek
3735. oros -- a mountain
... Probably from an obsolete oro (to rise or "rear"; perhaps akin to airo; compare
ornis); a mountain (as lifting itself above the plain): -hill, mount(-ain). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3735.htm - 6k
Strong's Hebrew
5871. Ayin -- a spring (of water)
... 5870b, 5871. Ayin. 5871a . a spring (of water). Transliteration: Ayin
Phonetic Spelling: (ah'-yin) Short Definition: Ain. Ain The ...
/hebrew/5871.htm - 5k

5871b. Ayin -- two places in Isr.
... two places in Isr. Transliteration: Ayin Short Definition: Ain. Word Origin from
ayin Definition two places in Isr. NASB Word Usage Ain (5). 5871a, 5871b. ...
/hebrew/5871b.htm - 5k

2022. har -- mountain, hill, hill country
... A shortened form of harar; a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) --
hill (country), mount(-ain), X promotion. see HEBREW harar. ...
/hebrew/2022.htm - 6k

2042. harar -- hill, mountain
... Word Origin the same as har, qv. hill, mountain From an unused root meaning to loom
up; a mountain -- hill, mount(-ain). 2041, 2042. harar. 2043 . ...
/hebrew/2042.htm - 5k

Library

Ain.
... St. Augustin on the Psalms. Ain. 119. "I have dealt judgment and righteousness;
O give me not over unto mine oppressors" [5310] (ver.121). ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/ain.htm

Psalm 119 Ain, the 16Th Part.
... Psalm 119 Ain, The 16th Part. 8,6,8,6. ^121To all men I have judgment done,. performing
justice right; Then let me not be left unto. my fierce oppressors' might ...
/.../anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 119 ain the 16th.htm

After this Diamond Recovered So Fast, that in a Few Days He was ...
... He's got bone enough for a waggon, but a waggon ain'ta Hansom. He ain't got
go enough for a Hansom. You see parties as takes Hansoms ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 14 after this diamond.htm

The Dialect of the Galileans, Differing from the Jewish.
... "R. Abba said, If any ask the men of Judea, who are exact about their language,
Whether they say Maabrin with Ain, or Maabrin with Aleph? ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 87 the dialect of.htm

Before the End of the Month, Ruby had Got Respectably Thin...
... "There ain't nothing in it but the sun and moon, Diamond.". "There's trees and flowers,"
said Diamond. "Well, they ain't no count," returned Nanny. "Ain't they? ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 34 before the end.htm

He Got up in the Morning as Soon as He Heard the Men Moving In...
... "It'ud be only a devil as would hurt him, and there ain't so many o' them as some
folk 'ud have you believe. ... "I ain't done nothing," said Diamond. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 24 he got up.htm

What is to be Said of the Sea of Apamia.
... The Samaritan interpreter renders the word Shepham, Numbers 34:10, by Apamia
with Ain. (Note Shin changed into Ain; note also, in ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 68 what is to.htm

It was Friday Night, and Diamond, Like the Rest of the Household.. ...
... You make me ashamed of being a horse. You dare to say my master ain't
your master! ... And his master ain't over kind to him either. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 32 it was friday.htm

Jesus at Capernaum.
... It is a delightful copse of rich verdure, furrowed by abundant streams which proceed
partly from a great round basin of ancient construction (Ain-Medawara). ...
/.../renan/the life of jesus/chapter viii jesus at capernaum.htm

Diamond Managed with Many Blunders to Read this Rhyme to his ...
... "What do you want there, my small kid? It ain't where you was bred, I guess.". ... "They
might think I was going to meddle with them, and I ain't, you know.". ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 21 diamond managed with.htm

Thesaurus
Ain (6 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia AIN (2). a'-in (`ayin, "eye or spring
(of water)"): (1) A town in the extreme Northwest corner of ...
/a/ain.htm - 9k

Etam (5 Occurrences)
... It is now `Ain 'Atan, at the head of the Wady Urtas, a fountain sending forth a
copious supply of pure water. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ETAM. ...
/e/etam.htm - 11k

A'in (4 Occurrences)
A'in. Ain, A'in. Air . Multi-Version Concordance ... Joshua 15:32 Lebaoth, Shilhim,
Ain, and Rimmon. All the cities are twenty-nine, with their villages. ...
/a/a'in.htm - 7k

Rimmon (22 Occurrences)
... Chronicles 4:32). In Joshua 15:32 Ain and Rimmon are mentioned separately,
but in 19:7 and 1 Chronicles 4:32 (Comp. Nehemiah 11:29 ...
/r/rimmon.htm - 18k

Land (19790 Occurrences)
... shore of the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 14:34 Mark 6:53), now known as el-Ghuweir,
"little Ghor." It curves round from el-Mejdel in the South, to `Ain et-Tineh ...
/l/land.htm - 21k

Genneseret
... shore of the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 14:34 Mark 6:53), now known as el-Ghuweir,
"little Ghor." It curves round from el-Mejdel in the South, to `Ain et-Tineh ...
/g/genneseret.htm - 9k

Gennesaret (3 Occurrences)
... shore of the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 14:34 Mark 6:53), now known as el-Ghuweir,
"little Ghor." It curves round from el-Mejdel in the South, to `Ain et-Tineh ...
/g/gennesaret.htm - 11k

Riblah (12 Occurrences)
... It is described (Numbers 34:11) as "on the eastern side of Ain." A place still called
el Ain, ie, "the fountain", is found in such a position about 10 miles ...
/r/riblah.htm - 14k

Arabah (32 Occurrences)
... Sea. At Ain Abu Werideh, 29 miles north of the watershed, the valley is
at the sea-level-1,292 feet above that of the Dead Sea. ...
/a/arabah.htm - 33k

Nephtoah (2 Occurrences)
... It has been identified with `Ain Lifta, a spring about 2 1/2 miles
north-west of Jerusalem. Others, however, have identified it ...
/n/nephtoah.htm - 9k

Resources
Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Ain (6 Occurrences)

Numbers 34:11
and the border shall go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain; and the border shall go down, and shall reach to the side of the sea of Chinnereth eastward;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Joshua 15:32
Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain, and Rimmon. All the cities are twenty-nine, with their villages.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Joshua 19:7
Ain, Rimmon, Ether, and Ashan; four cities with their villages;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Joshua 21:16
Ain with its suburbs, Juttah with its suburbs, and Beth Shemesh with its suburbs; nine cities out of those two tribes.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

1 Chronicles 4:32
Their villages were Etam, and Ain, Rimmon, and Tochen, and Ashan, five cities;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Psalms 119:121
<AIN> I have done what is good and right: you will not give me into the hands of those who are working against me.
(BBE DBY JPS WBS YLT)

Subtopics

Ain

Ain: A City of Simeon

Ain: A City of Simeon: Also Called Ashan

Ain: A City of Simeon: Possibly Identical With En-Rimmon

Ain: A Landmark on the Northern Boundary of Palestine

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