What was En-mishpat?
En-mishpat (Hebrew: עֵין מִשְׁפָּט, ʿÊn Mishpāṭ) means “spring of judgment” or “fountain of justice.” It is an ancient place name mentioned in Genesis 14:7 and is equated in the same verse with Kadesh, a location that would later hold significant historical and spiritual weight for the people of Israel.
The term “En” (עֵין) in Hebrew refers to a “spring” or “fountain,” while “Mishpat” (מִשְׁפָּט) denotes “judgment,” “justice,” or “legal decision.” Therefore, En-mishpat likely signified a place where legal decisions were made, a site associated with divine justice, or a symbolic representation of judgment in relation to God’s purposes.
Biblical References
- Genesis 14:7 – “Then they turned back and went to En Mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and they conquered the whole territory of the Amalekites, as well as the Amorites who were living in Hazazon Tamar.”
Cross-references:
- Numbers 13:26 and Numbers 20:1 – later mention Kadesh as a place where the Israelites camped.
- Deuteronomy 1:46 and Judges 11:16-17 – reference Kadesh in Israel’s wilderness journey.
What Happened in the Bible?
In Genesis 14, a coalition of four eastern kings led by Chedorlaomer conducted a military campaign against rebellious kings in Canaan. As they moved through the land, they attacked various people groups. Genesis 14:7 reports that they came to En-mishpat (that is, Kadesh) and struck the Amalekites and the Amorites.
This event predates the Israelite Exodus and shows that En-mishpat/Kadesh was already known as a regional landmark in the patriarchal period. The mention in Genesis suggests that it was a strategic or significant place, both geographically and perhaps spiritually, even before the Israelites‘ time.
Later, in the wilderness wanderings, Kadesh (synonymous with En-mishpat) became an important station for the Israelites. It was near here that Moses struck the rock (Numbers 20), and from here the people tried to enter the Promised Land, only to be turned back due to unbelief.
Theological Significance
En-mishpat represents more than a location—it symbolizes a place where God’s justice intersects with human history. The early name, “spring of judgment,” possibly signified a natural place where tribal leaders or elders rendered decisions, but it prophetically pointed to Kadesh‘s future role in God‘s redemptive narrative with Israel.
In Genesis 14, the fact that this place witnessed judgment against the Amalekites and Amorites is fitting given its name. Later, Kadesh becomes a place where God renders judgment upon Israel’s rebellion (Numbers 20:12). It is a physical place that becomes symbolic of accountability before a holy God.
What It Means for Today’s Christians
En-mishpat reminds modern believers of God’s unchanging character as a righteous Judge. God sees the actions of nations and individuals, and His justice will prevail in His time. The events associated with En-mishpat also underscore the seriousness of rebellion against God and the necessity of obedience, trust, and faith.
For Christians, En-mishpat is a picture of how God’s justice and mercy converge. It was near this area that Moses failed to uphold God‘s holiness (Numbers 20:12), leading to his own judgment. Yet even in judgment, God‘s provision remained.
Connection to Jesus and the Gospel
Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of divine justice and mercy. While En-mishpat pointed to God’s judgment, Jesus came to bear that judgment on the cross for sinners. As Romans 3:26 says, God is both “just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.” The judgment symbolized in places like En-mishpat was poured out on Christ at Calvary.
Just as water flowed in judgment and provision at Kadesh, Jesus declared in John 7:37-38, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink… streams of living water will flow from within them.” Christ is the true “spring of judgment” and “fountain of justice”—not condemning believers, but cleansing them by His blood.
Broader Biblical Themes
1. Judgment and Justice
En-mishpat’s name foreshadows God’s righteous rule and judgment. Justice is a central theme throughout Scripture, pointing toward God‘s holiness and the need for atonement.
2. God’s Sovereignty Over Nations
The destruction at En-mishpat shows that no nation or tribe is beyond God’s reach. He orchestrates the rise and fall of kingdoms according to His purposes.
3. Human Rebellion and Divine Consequence
As seen later at Kadesh, even God’s covenant people are not exempt from discipline when they rebel. En-mishpat reminds us that faith and obedience are essential in our walk with God.
4. Typology of Water and Judgment
The spring at En-mishpat echoes the recurring biblical theme of water used both in judgment (e.g., the Flood) and in provision (e.g., water from the rock). Jesus fulfills both as Judge and Living Water.
Reflection Questions
- What does the name En-mishpat (“spring of judgment”) teach us about God‘s character?
- How do the events at En-mishpat in Genesis 14 prepare us for God‘s later dealings with Israel at Kadesh?
- In what ways do we see God‘s justice and mercy working together in the life and ministry of Jesus?
- Are there areas in our own lives where we resist God‘s authority, as Israel did at Kadesh?
- How can the symbolism of water in Scripture encourage us to trust Jesus as the true source of life and justice?
En-mishpat may appear only briefly in the biblical record, yet its name and location echo throughout the history of Israel, reminding us of God‘s justice, the weight of sin, and the provision of grace through Jesus Christ.