An oasis in the wilderness of the territory of Judah, on the western shore of the Dead Sea; also known as Hazezon-Tamar.
About En-gedi
En-gedi is an important oasis on the west side of the Dead Sea, about 56.3 kilometers (35 miles) southeast of Jerusalem. It was part of the land given to the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:62). En-gedi had a hot water spring flowing from a limestone cliff. It created plants that thrived in warm climates. The area became known for its palms, vineyards, and balsam (Song of Solomon 1:14; Josephus’s Antiquities 20.1.2). The ancient site was southeast of the oasis at Tell el-Jarn near modern ’Ain Jidi.
En-gedi was also called Hazazon-tamar (2 Chronicles 20:2). It appears in several Old Testament stories:
Key References
After Saul had returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.”
All Scripture References (7)
Genesis (1)
Then they turned back to invade En-mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and they conquered the whole territory of the Amalekites, as well as the Amorites who lived in Hazazon-tamar.
Joshua (1)
Nibshan, the City of Salt, and En-gedi—six cities, along with their villages.
1 Samuel (2)
After Saul had returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.”
So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to look for David and his men in the region of the Rocks of the Wild Goats.
2 Chronicles (1)
Then some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the Sea; they are already in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, En-gedi).
Song of Solomon (1)
My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of En-gedi.
Ezekiel (1)
Fishermen will stand by the shore; from En-gedi to En-eglaim they will spread their nets to catch fish of many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea.