Overview:
Ataroth is a name that appears in several contexts within the Old Testament, referring to different locations and possibly a family lineage. The name "Ataroth" is derived from the Hebrew word meaning "crowns" or "wreaths," suggesting a place of significance or honor. The references to Ataroth are primarily found in the books of Numbers, Joshua, and 1 Chronicles.

Biblical References:

1. Ataroth in the Transjordan:
· Numbers 32:3, 34 : The first mention of Ataroth is in the context of the Transjordan region. The tribes of Reuben and Gad, who had large herds and flocks, requested to settle in the fertile lands east of the Jordan River. "Ataroth" is listed among the cities they desired: "Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon" (Numbers 32:3). Later, the text records that the Gadites rebuilt Ataroth: "And the Gadites built up Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer" (Numbers 32:34).

2. Ataroth in the Land of Canaan:
· Joshua 16:2, 5, 7 : Ataroth is also mentioned in the context of the land allotments west of the Jordan. It appears in the description of the territory assigned to the tribe of Ephraim. The boundary of Ephraim's inheritance is described as extending "from Bethel to Luz and passing along to the border of the Archites at Ataroth" (Joshua 16:2). Further, Ataroth-addar is mentioned as a border point between Ephraim and Benjamin: "The border of the sons of Ephraim, according to their clans, was as follows: The border of their inheritance on the east was Ataroth-addar as far as Upper Beth-horon" (Joshua 16:5).

3. Ataroth in Genealogical Records:
· 1 Chronicles 2:54 : Ataroth is also referenced in the genealogical records of the tribe of Judah. It is mentioned as a location associated with the descendants of Salma: "The descendants of Salma: Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Ataroth, Beth-joab, half the Manahathites, the Zorites" (1 Chronicles 2:54). This suggests that Ataroth may have been a settlement or region linked to the family lineage of Judah.

Historical and Archaeological Insights:
The identification of Ataroth in the Transjordan is often associated with the archaeological site of Khirbet Ataruz, located in modern-day Jordan. Excavations have revealed evidence of a significant settlement during the Iron Age, which aligns with the biblical narrative of the Gadites rebuilding the city. The strategic location and fertile lands would have made Ataroth an attractive site for pastoral tribes.

In the land of Canaan, Ataroth-addar's precise location remains uncertain, though it is generally believed to be in the vicinity of the modern village of Atara, north of Jerusalem. The mention of Ataroth in genealogical records highlights its importance as a notable settlement within the tribal territories.

Theological Significance:
Ataroth's inclusion in the biblical narrative underscores the importance of land and inheritance in the history of Israel. The requests of the tribes of Reuben and Gad to settle in Ataroth and other Transjordanian cities reflect the practical needs of the tribes and the fulfillment of God's promises regarding the land. The rebuilding and settlement of Ataroth by the Gadites demonstrate the Israelites' efforts to establish their presence and claim their inheritance as directed by God.

The references to Ataroth in the context of Ephraim and Judah further illustrate the complex tribal boundaries and the significance of land distribution among the tribes of Israel. These passages highlight the fulfillment of God's covenant promises to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as they took possession of the land promised to them.Ataroth

crowns

Ataroth

(crowns).

1. One of the towns in the "land of Jazer and land of Gilead," (Numbers 32:3) east of the Jordan, taken and built by the tribe of Gad. (Numbers 32:34)
2. A place on the (south?) boundary of Ephraim and Manasseh. (Joshua 16:2,7) It is impossible to say whether Ataroth is or is not the same place as
3. ATAROTH-ADAR, or -ADDAR, on the west border of Benjamin, "near the mountain? that is on the south side of the nether Beth-horon." (Joshua 16:5; 18:13) Perhaps the modern Atara, six miles northeast of Bethel.
4. "ATAROTH, THE HOUSE OF JOAB," a place(?) occurring in the list of the descendants of Judah. (1 Chronicles 2:54)

Ataroth

Several places of this name occur in Scripture: one in the tribe of Judah, 1 Chronicles 2:54; one or two in Ephraim, Joshua 16:2,5,7; 18:13; and one or two in Gad, Numbers 32:3,34,35. Robinson found traces of one of those in Ephraim, on a high hill about six miles north by west from Bethel.

Crowns.

(1.) A city east of Jordan, not far from Gilead (Numbers 32:3).

(2.) A town on the border of Ephraim and Benjamin (Joshua 16:2, 7), called also Ataroth-adar (16:5). Now ed-Da'rieh.

(3.) "Ataroth, the house of Joab" (1 Chronicles 2:54), a town of Judah inhabited by the descendants of Caleb.

ATAROTH

at'-a-roth, a-ta'-roth (`aTaroth, "crowns" or "wreaths"; Ataroth):

(1) A city East of the Jordan, apparently in the territory given to Reuben, but built, or fortified, by the children of Gad (Numbers 32:3, 34). It is named along with Dibon, which is identified with Dhiban. Eight miles Northeast by North of Dibon, on the South of Wady Zerqa Ma`in, stands Jebel `Attarus, in which the ancient name is preserved. The city is doubtless represented by Khirbet `Attarus, about 4 miles West of the mountain.

(2) A place on the boundary between Ephraim and Benjamin, toward the West (Joshua 16:2). It seems to be the same as Ataroth-addar of Joshua 16:5, 18:13. It is probably to be identified with the modern ed-Dariyeh South of nether Bethhoron, and about 12 1/2 miles West of Jerusalem.

(3) A place on the eastern frontier of Ephraim (Joshua 16:7). This town has not been identified. Conder thinks it may be identified with et-Truneh in the Jordan valley, or with Khirbet et-Taiyereh.

W. Ewing

5852. Ataroth -- the name of several places in Isr.
Ataroth or Ataroth. 5851, 5852. Ataroth or Ataroth. 5853 . the name of
several places in Isr. Transliteration: Ataroth or Ataroth ...
/hebrew/5852.htm - 6k

5853. Atroth Addar -- a place on the border between Ephraim and ...
... a place on the border between Ephraim and Benjamin. Transliteration: Atroth Addar
Phonetic Spelling: (at-roth' ad-dawr') Short Definition: Ataroth-addar. ...
/hebrew/5853.htm - 6k

5854. Atroth Beth Yoab -- a place in Judah
... Word Origin from the same as Ataroth, from bayith and Yoab Definition a place in
Judah NASB Word Usage Atroth-beth-joab (1). Ataroth the house of Joab. ...
/hebrew/5854.htm - 6k

5855. Atroth Shophan -- a place in Isr.
... Word Origin from Ataroth and saphan Definition a place in Isr. NASB Word
Usage Atroth-shophan (1). Atroth, Shophan as if two places. ...
/hebrew/5855.htm - 6k

Appendices
... 10. Kirjathain (Numb, xxxii.37). The men of Gad dwelt in the land of Ataroth (Numb,
xxxii.3) from of old, and the king of Israel built there. 11. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm

Ataroth (7 Occurrences)
... (2.) A town on the border of Ephraim and Benjamin (Joshua 16:2, 7), called also
Ataroth-adar (16:5). Now ed-Da'rieh. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ATAROTH. ...
/a/ataroth.htm - 10k

Ataroth-addar (2 Occurrences)
Ataroth-addar. Atarothaddar, Ataroth-addar. At'aroth-ad'dar . Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia ATAROTH-ADDAR. at'-a-roth ...
/a/ataroth-addar.htm - 7k

Ataroth-adar (2 Occurrences)
Ataroth-adar. Atarothadar, Ataroth-adar. Atarothaddar . Multi-Version
Concordance Ataroth-adar (2 Occurrences). Joshua ...
/a/ataroth-adar.htm - 7k

At'aroth (4 Occurrences)
... Ataroth, At'aroth. Atarothadar . ... Numbers 32:3 "Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer,
and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Sebam, and Nebo, and Beon, (See RSV) ...
/a/at'aroth.htm - 7k

Archites (1 Occurrence)
... A clan mentioned in connection with the marking of the southern boundary of Joseph
(Joshua 16:2). The phrase (gebhul ha-'arki `aTaroth) offers difficulties ...
/a/archites.htm - 7k

At'aroth-ad'dar (2 Occurrences)
At'aroth-ad'dar. Ataroth-addar, At'aroth-ad'dar. Ate . ... The border of their
inheritance eastward was Ataroth Addar, to Beth Horon the upper. (See RSV). ...
/a/at'aroth-ad'dar.htm - 7k

Luz (7 Occurrences)
... Joshua 16:2 It went out from Bethel to Luz, and passed along to the border of the
Archites to Ataroth; (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/l/luz.htm - 11k

Dibon (12 Occurrences)
... Numbers 32:3 "Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh,
and Sebam, and Nebo, and Beon, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/d/dibon.htm - 12k

Beth-el (65 Occurrences)
... Joshua 16:2 and it went out from Beth-el to Luz, and passed along unto the
border of the Archites to Ataroth; (ASV BBE JPS WBS YLT). ...
/b/beth-el.htm - 27k

Atroth-addar (2 Occurrences)
... Joshua 16:5 And the border of the children of Ephraim according to their families
was thus: the border of their inheritance eastward was Ataroth-addar, unto ...
/a/atroth-addar.htm - 7k

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