Aenon (Greek: Αἰνών, Ainṓn), distinguished as Aenon near Salim, is the site mentioned by the Gospel of John John 3:23) as one of the places where John was baptising people, after baptizing Jesus in Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan.[1][2]
Aenon is the Hellenized form of the term for 'spring' or 'natural fountain' in many Semitic languages, including Hebrew ayn (עין) and Arabic ain or ein (عين). In the water-poor Middle East, places owning a spring tend to be named after that water source, so that toponyms consisting of or containing the construct element are common. The particular site mentioned in the Gospel of John is therefore distinguished as "Aenon near Salim".[3]
The name Aenon is commonly used amongst Baptist organizations and churches.[citation needed]