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Answer
En Gedi, meaning “Spring of a Young Goat,” was a town in the wilderness of Judah, located on the western shore of the Dead Sea «and Nibshan, and the city of Salt, and En-gedi; six cities with their villages.», (Joshua 15:62). Today, En Gedi is a nature reserve renowned for its waterfalls and botanical garden. This desert city served as an oasis in biblical times and continues to attract visitors to Israel.
Originally known as Hazezon Tamar, meaning “Division of the Palms,” due to the palm trees surrounding it «Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazon-tamar, which is Engedi.», (2 Chronicles 20:2), the region of En Gedi was once inhabited by the Amorites «And they returned, and came to En-mishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezon-tamar.», (Genesis 14:7). After the Israelites entered the Promised Land under Joshua’s leadership, En Gedi was assigned to the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:1,61-62).
When David escaped from Saul, he sought refuge in En Gedi among the rocks there «And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at En-gedi.», (1 Samuel 23:29). The specific area where Saul searched for David was known as “The Crags of the Wild Goats” because of En Gedi’s rocky terrain «Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his
Men upon the rocks of the wild goats.” , (1 Samuel 24:2). Saul followed David to En Gedi and, while in a cave, David had the opportunity to kill his pursuer (1 Samuel 24:2-4). Instead of killing Saul, he cut off a piece of Saul’s robe, but even that act struck his conscience (1 Samuel 24:4-7). When David confronted Saul outside of the caves of En Gedi, he stated, “See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. See that there is nothing in my hand to indicate that I am guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life” “Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.” , (1 Samuel 24:11).
Not only was En Gedi known for rocky terrain and waterfalls, but it was also renowned for its aromatic plants and vineyards. The Song of Solomon mentions vineyards and the henna plant in En Gedi: “My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of Engedi” Song of Solomon 1:14, ESV. Although the exact identification of “henna blossoms” is unknown, they are probably part of an aromatic blooming plant used to make perfume and dye.
In the millennial kingdom, En Gedi will be transformed into a place that will have access to fish—a big change, given the fact that the Dead Sea is currently devoid of fish. Ezekiel prophesied that the Dead Sea will become a freshwater body, teeming with life (Ezekiel 47:8-9). In fact, “Fishermen will stand along the shores of the Dead Sea. All the way from En-gedi to En-eglaim, the shores will be covered with nets drying in the sun. Fish of every kind will fill the Dead Sea, just as they fill the Mediterranean” (verse 10, NLT). As part of Christ’s reign on earth, the oasis of En Gedi will be expanded to the point of even turning the Dead Sea into living waters.
En Gedi was a place in the Bible known for its beauty and refuge amid the surrounding wilderness. As an oasis in the land of Israel, En Gedi served to protect David as he fled from Saul and was referenced in a beautiful poem about love. In the future, En Gedi will witness the miracle of the renewal of the Dead Sea. God’s provision is abundantly displayed in the beauty and natural resources of En Gedi.
