Etam

About Etam Written by AI

Etam is mentioned twice in 1 Chronicles in different contexts. In 1Ch.4.3, Etam is listed among the descendants of Judah, specifically as part of the clan of Hur. The text states that the sons of Etam were Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash, suggesting that Etam was either an individual or a place associated with this Judahite clan. In 1Ch.4.32, Etam appears as one of the villages belonging to the tribe of Simeon, along with Ain, Rimmon, Tochen, and Ashan. These villages were part of Simeon's inheritance within the territory of Judah (Joshua 19:1-9). The exact location of Etam in both contexts is uncertain, and it is possible that there were two different places named Etam. The Etam associated with Simeon was likely situated in the Negev region, south of Judah, while the Etam connected to the clan of Hur may have been located elsewhere in Judah's territory.

Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.

Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897

This entry is on the name Etam, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.

Eyrie. (1.) A village of the tribe of Simeon (1 Chr. 4:32). Into some cleft (“top,” A.V.,; R.V., “cleft”) of a rock here Samson retired after his slaughter of the Philistines (Judg. 15:8, 11). It was a natural stronghold. It has been identified with Beit ’Atab, west of Bethlehem, near Zorah and Eshtaol. On the crest of a rocky knoll, under the village, is a long tunnel, which may be the “cleft” in which Samson hid.

(2.) A city of Judah, fortified by Rehoboam (2 Chr. 11:6). It was near Bethlehem and Tekoah, and some distance apparently to the north of (1). It seems to have been in the district called Nephtoah (or Netophah), where were the sources of the water from which Solomon’s gardens and pleasure-grounds and pools, as well as Bethlehem and the temple, were supplied. It is now ‘Ain ’Atan, at the head of the Wady Urtas, a fountain sending forth a copious supply of pure water.

M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.