Places of the Bible

Mahanaim

Gilead (Transjordan) · Old Testament · 13 verses

Mahanaim, meaning two camps, was a town in Gilead east of the Jordan. Its name comes from Jacob's meeting with the angels of God. The name appears in Genesis, Joshua, 2 Samuel and 2 more in the King James text.

About Mahanaim

Mahanaim, meaning two camps, was a town in Gilead east of the Jordan. Its name comes from Jacob's meeting with the angels of God.

Its place in the story

Jacob named the place Mahanaim when the angels of God met him on his return to the land. It later served as a refuge for David during Absalom's revolt and as a capital for Ishbosheth.

Mahanaim in Scripture (KJV)

“And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God’s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.”
Genesis 32:2 (KJV)
“And from Heshbon unto Ramathmizpeh, and Betonim; and from Mahanaim unto the border of Debir;”
Joshua 13:26 (KJV)
“And their coast was from Mahanaim, all Bashan, all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, and all the towns of Jair, which are in Bashan, threescore cities:”
Joshua 13:30 (KJV)
“And out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Mahanaim with her suburbs,”
Joshua 21:38 (KJV)
“But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;”
2 Samuel 2:8 (KJV)
“And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.”
2 Samuel 2:12 (KJV)
“And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.”
2 Samuel 2:29 (KJV)
“Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.”
2 Samuel 17:24 (KJV)

Mahanaim is named 13 times in Scripture; 8 shown above.

Where it leads

Jacob's vision of God's host at Mahanaim shows the unseen protection of God, a care the New Testament sees perfected in Christ.

Who is Jesus? · Places of the Bible

People also ask

Where is Mahanaim in the Bible?

Mahanaim, meaning two camps, was a town in Gilead east of the Jordan. Its name comes from Jacob's meeting with the angels of God. The name appears in Genesis, Joshua, 2 Samuel and 2 more in the King James text.

What happened at Mahanaim?

Jacob named the place Mahanaim when the angels of God met him on his return to the land. It later served as a refuge for David during Absalom's revolt and as a capital for Ishbosheth.

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Scripture verbatim KJV. Place facts curated; any coordinates via Wikidata (CC0).

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