Dear Friends,

In Biblical Hebrew, we find not only a singular and plural form, but also a dual form: a special form which usually indicates that there are two of something. This is indicated by the suffix ַיִם, “ayim”. Perhaps the best example is body parts, of which we have two: eyes – עֵינַיִם, “eynayim”, ears – אָזְנַיִם, “oznayim”, hands – יָדַיִם, “yadayim”, and many more. There are also some irregular forms which are in the dual, despite the fact that they don’t indicate the existence of two of something, such as teeth, שִׁנַיִם, “shinayim”, and water, מַיִם, “mayim”. Today, I would like to discuss some names of places which appear in the dual form in Hebrew.

 
אֲרַם נַהֲרַיִם, Aram Naharayim
In order to understand this name, we must first understand the two words it is comprised of:
•    אֲרַם, Aram is the general Biblical name for all the countries and peoples from the area of the Tigris and the Euphrates. Some specific locations in the general area of Aram are called Aram X, indicating the exact location (such as Aram Damascus).
•    נַהֲרַיִם, Naharayim, is the dual form of the word נַהֲר “nahar”, river.
From this we can understand that Aram Naharayim is the name for a part of the area which is adjacent to these two great rivers, the dual form appearing due to the fact that there are two rivers in the relevant province. This is the area of upper Mesopotamia, the boundaries of which are the Tigris to the east and the Euphrates to the west.
 

In fact, the Greek name for this area – modern day Iraq – is virtually an accurate translation of Naharayim: Mesopotamia means “meso” – between, “potamia” – the two rivers (this too in a dual form in Greek), the land between the two rivers.
The most famous people in the Bible who came from Aram Naharayim were Abraham and his family. The geographical area from which they came is referred to by many different names, but one of them (in Genesis 24:10) is “Aram Naharayim”.

מַחֲנַיִם, Maxanayim
Maxanayim is the dual form of the word מַחֲנֵה, “camp”. This is a famous city on the east bank of the Jordan River, belonging to the tribe of Gad. This was a city of refuge, not only for those who unintentionally killed (Joshua 21:36), but also for King David, when he was driven out of Jerusalem during his son Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 17).
 

David Mourning the Death of Absalom, Gustave Doré

The Bible not only tells us of this city, but also teaches us how it received this name, although somewhat indirectly. Jacob had fled to Mesopotamia because his brother Esau was furious at him for stealing their father Isaac’s blessing, and threatened to kill him. Many years later, when Jacob returns to Canaan, he passes through Maxanayim and names the city:

וְיַעֲקֹב הָלַךְ לְדַרְכּוֹ וַיִּפְגְּעוּ-בוֹ מַלְאֲכֵי אֱלֹהִים: וַיֹּאמֶר יַעֲקֹב כַּאֲשֶׁר רָאָם מַחֲנֵה אֱלֹהִים זֶה וַיִּקְרָא שֵׁם-הַמָּקוֹם הַהוּא מַחֲנָיִם
And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him: And Jacob said when he saw them: ‘this is God’s camp’, and he called the name of that place Maxanayim
(Genesis 32:2-3)

From reading these verses, it is not clear why Jacob named that place “two camps”? One might suggest that he ran into two angels, and this is the reason for the dual form. However, why then is the dual form connected to the word Maxaneh, “camp”, and not to the word angel?
The actual reason for the naming of the place is given in the story which immediately follows this description. Jacob was fearful that Esau would take revenge against him and his large family – at this point he had 12 children (11 boys and one girl), 4 wives, many servants, and large flocks. Therefore, he split his party in two, so that even if Esau was to strike against one half, the other half would survive. He set them up in two camps – Maxanayim! Thankfully, Esau had long since forgiven Jacob, and none of these precautions were necessary (Genesis 32).
 

מִצְרַיִם, Mizrayim
Mizrayim is the Hebrew name for Egypt. The modern Arabic name for this country is Maser, which is in fact the singular form from the identical root of the Hebrew form Mizrayim. Why does this name appear in the dual form?
The answer to this is found deep in ancient Egyptian history. Egypt was traditionally divided into Lower Egypt and Upper Egypt. Contrary to the way we draw maps in the modern world, which automatically suggests that the northern would be considered the upper area; Upper Egypt was the southern part of the country – elevated mountain country – while Lower Egypt was the northern part, the flat fertile lands in the Delta of the Nile River. Lower Egypt was historically more powerful because it is a wealthier, more prosperous area.

 
Although Egypt was a united country from very early on in its history, the Egyptian legends preserve the memory of a time when Egypt was divided in two. For a very long period in Egypt’s history, when the unification of the country was already a given fact and no longer an accomplishment, the Egyptians continued to refer to this unification as an ongoing great achievement. Pharaoh was the king of both Egypts, and as such, his power was boasted: the mighty king not only ruled the land and defeated all of Egypt’s enemies; he had the even more primary role of the creation of the state and the unification of its two parts. This is why the Pharaoh was often depicted wearing two crowns or head-dresses: one symbolizing his being the king of Upper Egypt, and the other symbolizing his kingship in Lower Egypt. The two head-dresses were worn simultaneously, proving that the mighty Pharaoh has equal power over both.
 

The Hebrew name for Egypt therefore represents a very clear influence from Egyptian culture: by the time the Israelites reached Egypt it had long since been united. However, the Hebrew dual form of the name preserves the historical memory of a time long ago, virtually the mythical past, when Egypt was divided.

Have a great week!

Naama Baumgarten
The Biblical Hebrew Online Team