Etam

About Etam Written by AI

In 2Ch.11.6, Etam is mentioned as one of the cities that King Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, fortified in Judah after the kingdom was divided. Rehoboam's kingdom consisted of the southern tribes of Judah and Benjamin, while the northern tribes followed Jeroboam I. As part of his efforts to strengthen his reign and defend his territory, Rehoboam built up the defenses of several key cities, including Etam. The fortification of Etam suggests that it was a strategically important location, possibly guarding a trade route or protecting the southern border of Judah. The exact location of this Etam is uncertain, but it was likely situated in the hill country of Judah, possibly near Bethlehem. Some scholars propose that it may be the same as the Etam mentioned in Judges 15, where Samson hid from the Philistines, but this is not conclusively established.

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.