Aenon near Salim · Exact site unknown; traditionally placed in the Jordan Valley near Salim, about 12 km (7.5 mi) south of Beth-shean (Scythopolis), an area of many springs
Where John the Baptist baptized near Salim because of the abundance of water; mentioned only at John 3:23.
First mentioned in the Bible
But John too was baptizing in Aeʹnon near Saʹlim, because there was a great quantity of water there, and people kept coming and were being baptized;— John 3:23
Background
Aenon is the place where John the Baptist was baptizing when Jesus and his disciples were also baptizing in the Judean countryside, shortly after the Passover of 30 C.E. The Bible mentions it only once: “John too was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was a great quantity of water there, and people kept coming and were being baptized” (John 3:23). The name Aenon comes from a Semitic word meaning “spring” or “place of much water,” which matches the Bible’s description and points to an area with enough water for baptism by immersion. The Scriptures give only two clues: Aenon was near the better-known town of Salim and had abundant water. In the fourth century C.E., Eusebius placed it in the Jordan Valley about eight Roman miles (12 km; 7.5 mi) south of Beth-shean (Scythopolis). Scholars have noted several springs in that region; Tell Ridgha (Tel Shalem), tentatively identified with Salim, has a group of seven springs to its south. Other sites have been proposed, so the exact location remains uncertain.
Related Scriptures (New World Translation)
After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Ju·deʹan countryside, and there he spent some time with them and was baptizing.— John 3:22
But John too was baptizing in Aeʹnon near Saʹlim, because there was a great quantity of water there, and people kept coming and were being baptized;— John 3:23
for John had not yet been thrown into prison.— John 3:24