Bible Dictionary
Engedi Or Engedi
En-gedi was a town and oasis in the wilderness of Judah beside the Dead Sea. David sought refuge there from Saul, and its fertile vineyards were celebrated in Solomon’s song.
Definition
En-gedi, or Engedi, “fount of the kid,” was a town in the wilderness of Judah on the western shore of the Dead Sea. Its earlier name was Hazezon-tamar.
Biblical Usage
Saul was told that David was in the wilderness of En-gedi, where Saul pursued him among the rocks of the wild goats. The vineyards of En-gedi were celebrated by Solomon.
Historical Background
The site lies about midway along the western shore of the Dead Sea at the spring of Ain Jidy. Hazezon-tamar was associated with palm groves and is mentioned in accounts involving the Amorites and the cities of the plain.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(fount of the kid), a town in the wilderness of Judah, (Joshua 15:62) on the western shore of the Dead Sea. (Ezekiel 47:10) Its original name was Hazezon-tamar, on account of the palm groves which surrounded it. (2 Chronicles 20:2) Its site is about the middle of the western shore of the lake, at the fountain of Ain Jidy, from which the place gets its name. It was immediately after an assault upon the “Amorites that dwelt in Hazezon-tamar,” that the five Mesopotamian kings were attacked by the rulers of the plain of Sodom. (Genesis 14:7) comp. 2Chr 20:2 Saul was told that David was in the “wilderness of Engedi;” and he took “three thousand men, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. ” (1 Samuel 24:1-4) The vineyards of Engedi were celebrated by Solomon. (Song of Solomon 1:14)