A Levitical town in the territory of Gad, assigned to the clan of Merari; capital of the kingdom of Isboseth, son of Saul.
About Mahanaim
Mahanam was a settlement east of the Jordan in Gilead.
Jacob met angels there and named the place “the camp of God.” He divided his household and possessions into two camps. This was to keep from losing everything when he confronted Esau (Genesis 32:1–11). Mahanaim means “two camps” in Hebrew.
Key References
When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is the camp of God.” So he named that place Mahanaim.
Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom.
All Scripture References (16)
Genesis (1)
Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom.
Joshua (3)
the territory from Heshbon to Ramath-mizpeh and Betonim, and from Mahanaim to the border of Debir;
The territory from Mahanaim through all Bashan—all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, including all the towns of Jair that are in Bashan, sixty cities;
And from the tribe of Gad they were given Ramoth in Gilead, a city of refuge for the manslayer, Mahanaim,
2 Samuel (8)
Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth, moved him to Mahanaim,
Saul’s son Ish-bosheth was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned for two years. The house of Judah, however, followed David.
One day Abner son of Ner and the servants of Ish-bosheth son of Saul marched out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
And all that night Abner and his men marched through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, marched all morning, and arrived at Mahanaim.
Then David went to Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel.
When David came to Mahanaim, he was met by Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, Machir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim.
“No matter what, I want to run!” he replied. “Then run!” Joab told him. So Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and outran the Cushite.
The king said to Barzillai, “Cross over with me, and I will provide for you at my side in Jerusalem.”
1 Kings (2)
Keep an eye on Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim who is with you. He called down bitter curses against me on the day I went to Mahanaim, but when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the LORD: ‘I will never put you to the sword.’
Ahinadab son of Iddo in Mahanaim;
1 Chronicles (1)
They assigned by lot the cities named above from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin.
Song of Solomon (1)
How beautiful are your sandaled feet, O daughter of the prince! The curves of your thighs are like jewels, the handiwork of a master.