מַחֲנַיִם
ma.cha.na.yim
Mahanaim
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word "מַחֲנַיִם" (ma.cha.na.yim) is a proper name, specifically referring to a person. It appears 13 times in the Bible, indicating its significance in the narrative. The name "Mahanaim" is likely derived from the Hebrew root "chanan," which means "to rest" or "to dwell." This root is also associated with the concept of a place of rest or a dwelling. As a proper name, "Mahanaim" is likely a personal name, possibly referring to a significant individual in the biblical narrative. However, without further context, it is difficult to determine the specific meaning or significance of this name. The frequency of its occurrence in the Bible suggests that it is an important name, but its exact meaning and significance remain unclear. The significance of "Mahanaim" lies in its appearance in the biblical narrative, where it is likely used to identify a character or a place of importance. The name's association with the root "chanan" suggests a connection to rest, dwelling, or a place of refuge, which may be relevant to the context in which it is used.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
13 total occurrences across the text
When David had come to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,
Genesis 32:2When he saw them, Jacob said, “This is God’s army.” He called the name of that place Mahanaim.
Joshua 13:26and from Heshbon to Ramath Mizpeh, and Betonim; and from Mahanaim to the border of Debir;
Joshua 13:30Their border was from Mahanaim, all Bashan, all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, and all the villages of Jair, which are in Bashan, sixty cities.
Joshua 21:38Out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with its pasture lands, the city of refuge for the man slayer, and Mahanaim with its pasture lands,
2 Samuel 2:8Now Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s army, had taken Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;
2 Samuel 2:12Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
2 Samuel 2:29Abner and his men went all that night through the Arabah; and they passed over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and came to Mahanaim.
2 Samuel 17:24Then David came to Mahanaim. Absalom passed over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.
2 Samuel 19:32Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even eighty years old. He had provided the king with sustenance while he stayed at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man.
1 Kings 2:8“Behold, there is with you Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite, of Bahurim, who cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim; but he came down to meet me at the Jordan, and I swore to him by Yahweh, saying, ‘I will not put you to death with the sword.’
1 Kings 4:14Ahinadab the son of Iddo, in Mahanaim;
1 Chronicles 6:80and out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with its pasture lands, Mahanaim with its pasture lands,