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The company of Mahanaim

Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia

(Song 6:13[cited in the source as 7:1]). Manaim, or Mahanaim, a city in Gilead, lying north of the brook Jabbok, on the other side of the Jordan. The name of the city signifies “two camps,” or “two hosts,” since Jacob, on his return from Mesopotamia, met here the hosts of angels. Interpreters of the Bible give various explanations of the expression “the company of Mahanaim” in the Song of Songs. Some find in it a reference to the choirs, or hosts, of angels that appeared to Jacob at Mahanaim.

Others think that in memory of this appearance of the angelic hosts to Jacob, solemn dances took place at Mahanaim, a city renowned for them. Both opinions seem to have a certain degree of plausibility.

Scripture cited

Song of Songs 6:13

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