Etymology and Meaning:
The name "Etam" is believed to mean "lair of wild beasts" or "place of birds," reflecting its possible geographical or topographical features.

Biblical References:
Etam is mentioned in several contexts within the Old Testament, each providing insight into its significance and location.

1. Etam as a Town in Judah:
In 1 Chronicles 4:32, Etam is listed among the towns in the territory of the tribe of Judah: "Their settlements were Etam, Ain, Rimmon, Tochen, and Ashan—five towns." This suggests that Etam was part of the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, indicating its importance within the tribal allotments of Israel.

2. Etam as a Rock or Stronghold:
The most notable reference to Etam is found in the narrative of Samson in the Book of Judges. Judges 15:8-11 describes how Samson, after striking down the Philistines, "went down and stayed in the cave at the rock of Etam." The rock of Etam served as a refuge for Samson, highlighting its strategic and defensive significance. The location provided a natural stronghold, which was common in the rugged terrain of Judah.

3. Etam in Solomon's Works:
In 1 Kings 4:10, Etam is mentioned in the context of Solomon's administrative districts: "Ben-Hesed in Arubboth (Socoh and all the land of Hepher were his)." While the text does not explicitly mention Etam, some scholars suggest that it may have been part of this district, indicating its continued relevance during the united monarchy.

4. Etam in the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah:
2 Chronicles 11:6 notes that Rehoboam, Solomon's son, fortified Etam as part of his defensive strategy: "He built up Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa." This fortification effort underscores Etam's strategic importance in the defense of the southern kingdom of Judah.

Geographical Location:
The exact location of Etam is not definitively known, but it is generally associated with the region of Judah, south of Jerusalem. Some scholars propose that it may be identified with modern-day Khirbet el-Khokh or near the area of Bethlehem. The association with a rock or stronghold suggests a location with natural fortifications, possibly in the hill country of Judah.

Historical and Theological Significance:
Etam's repeated mention in various contexts highlights its multifaceted role in Israel's history. As a town, it was part of the tribal inheritance of Judah, reflecting the distribution of land among the tribes. As a stronghold, it provided refuge and defense, particularly in the narrative of Samson, where it symbolizes God's provision of safety and strength for His chosen deliverer. The fortification efforts by Rehoboam further emphasize its strategic importance in the defense of the kingdom.

Etam's presence in the biblical narrative serves as a reminder of the physical and spiritual fortifications that God provides for His people, illustrating themes of refuge, strength, and divine protection throughout the history of Israel.Etam

their bird, their covering

Etam

(lair of wild beasts).

1. A village of the tribe of Simeon, specified only in the list in (1 Chronicles 4:32) comp. Josh 19:7
2. A place in Judah, fortified and garrisoned by Rehoboam. (2 Chronicles 11:6) Here, according to the statements of Josephus and the Talmudists, were the sources of the water from which Solomon's gardens and the pleasure-grounds were fed, and Bethlehem and the temple supplied.

Etam

A town in Judah near Bethlehem and Tekoa; a favorite resort of Solomon, and fortified by Rehoboam, 1 Chronicles 4:3,32 2 Chronicles 11:6. Its supposed site is now occupied by a ruined village balled Urtas, a mile and a half southwest of Bethlehem, not far Solomon's Pools. "The rock Etam" to which Samson withdrew, Jud 15:8-19, may have been in this vicinity, perhaps the Frank mountain two miles east.

Eyrie.

(1.) A village of the tribe of Simeon (1 Chronicles 4:32). Into some cleft ("top, " A.V., ; R.V., "cleft") of a rock here Samson retired after his slaughter of the Philistines (Judges 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 Chronicles 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.

ETAM

e'-tam `eTam; Codex Alexandrinus, Apan, Codex Vaticanus, Aitan:

(1) Mentioned in Septuagint along with Tekoa, Bethlehem and Phagor (Joshua 15:59). In 2 Chronicles 11:6 it occurs, between Bethlehem and Tekoa, as one of the cities built "for defense in Judah" by Rehoboam. Josephus writes that "there was a certain place, about 50 furlongs distant from Jerusalem which is called Ethan, very pleasant it is in fine gardens and abounding in rivulets of water; whither he (Solomon) used to go out in the morning" (Ant., VIII, vii, 3). Mention of `Ain `Aitan, which is described as the most elevated place in Palestine, occurs in the Talmud (Zebhachim 54b), and in the Jer. Talmud (Yoma' 3 fol 41) it is mentioned that a conduit ran from `Atan to the Temple.

The evidence all points to `Ain `Atan, the lowest of the springs supplying the aqueduct running to Solomon's pools. The gardens of Solomon may very well-by tradition, at any rate-have been in the fertile valley below `Urtas. The site of the ancient town Etam is rather to be looked for on an isolated hill, with ancient remains, a little to the East of `Ain `Atan. 1 Chronicles 4:3 may also have reference to this Etam.

(2) A town assigned to Simeon (1 Chronicles 4:32). Mentioned with EN-RIMMON (which see), identified by Conder with Khurbet `AiTun in the hills Northwest of Beersheba.

(3) The rock of Etam, where Samson took up his dwelling after smiting the Philistines "hip and thigh with a great slaughter" (Judges 15:8, 11), was in Judah but apparently in the low hill country (same place). The rocky hill on which lies the village of Beit `Atab, near Sur`ah (Zorah), was suggested by Conder, but unless (3) is really identical width (1), which is quite possible, the cavern known as `Arak Isma`in, described by Hanauer (PEFS, 1886, 25), suits the requirements of the story better. The cavern, high up on the northern cliffs of the Wady Isma`in, is a noticeable object from the railway as the train enters the gorge.

E. W. G. Masterman

5862. Etam -- three places in Isr.
... 5861, 5862. Etam. 5863 . three places in Isr. Transliteration: Etam
Phonetic Spelling: (ay-tawm') Short Definition: Etam. ...
/hebrew/5862.htm - 6k

Concerning the Gates and Chambers Lying on the South Side of the ...
... altar, on the feast of Tabernacles, was brought in through this gate; or because
the water-course, conveyed into the Temple from the fountain Etam, went along ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 31 concerning the gates.htm

Samson who did to Others as they did to Him
... do, I will not stop until I have had my revenge on you!" So he fought fiercely and
killed many of them; then he went and stayed in a cavern in the cliff of Etam ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/samson who did to others.htm

Fragment Xli. This Indicates the Persecution against the Church ...
... [4885] Judges 15:11. [4886] That is, when he fled to the rock Etam, he typified
the true believer taking refuge in the spiritual Rock, Christ. ...
/.../fragment xli this indicates the.htm

Samson's Wedding Feast
... will cease. And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and
he went down and dwelt in the cleft of the rock of Etam. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/iv samsons wedding feast.htm

The Story of Samson, the Strong Man
... burning his wife. After this Samson went to live in a hollow place in a
split rock, called the rock of Etam. The Philistines came ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of samson the.htm

Concerning the Fortitude of Samson, and what Mischiefs He Brought ...
... 8. Now when Samson had slain many of the Philistines in the plain country, he dwelt
at Etam, which is a strong rock of the tribe of Judah; for the Philistines ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 concerning the fortitude.htm

Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
... them with great slaughter. And he return'd, and came up to the top Of Etam,
and dwelt there upon the rock. Then the Philistines up ...
/.../scriptural poems being several portions.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... 2 Chronicles 11:6-10, where we find a list of the towns fortified by Rehoboam:
Bethlehem, Etam, Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam, Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, Adoraim ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Etam (5 Occurrences)
...ETAM. e'-tam `eTam; Codex Alexandrinus, Apan, Codex Vaticanus, Aitan: (1) Mentioned
in Septuagint along with Tekoa, Bethlehem and Phagor (Joshua 15:59). ...
/e/etam.htm - 11k

Idbash (1 Occurrence)
... IDBASH. id'-bash (yidhbash, "honeysweet"(?)) A man of Judah, one of the sons of
the father of Etam (1 Chronicles 4:3; Septuagint "sons of Etam"). ...
/i/idbash.htm - 7k

Ishma (1 Occurrence)
... yishma', from the root yasham, "to lie waste," therefore meaning "desolate"): A
brother of Jezreel and Idbash, "the sons of the father of Etam" (1 Chronicles 4 ...
/i/ishma.htm - 7k

Crack (5 Occurrences)
... made an attack on them, driving them in uncontrolled flight, and causing great
destruction; then he went away to his safe place in the crack of the rock at Etam...
/c/crack.htm - 9k

Cleft (15 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS YLT). Judges 15:8 He struck them hip and thigh with a great slaughter:
and he went down and lived in the cleft of the rock of Etam. ...
/c/cleft.htm - 12k

Samson (37 Occurrences)
... Thereupon, Samson smote the Philistines in revenge, "hip and thigh" (Judges
15:1-8). (2) When he escaped to Etam, an almost vertical rock cliff in Judah (by ...
/s/samson.htm - 37k

Simeon (48 Occurrences)
... Ezem), Eltolad (Tolad), Bethuel, Hormah, Ziklag, Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susah (Hazar
Susim), Beth-lebaoth (Beth-biri), Sharuhen (Shaaraim) (Etam), Ain Rimmon ...
/s/simeon.htm - 35k

Cave (40 Occurrences)
... Judges 15:8 He struck them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went
down and lived in the cleft of the rock of Etam. (See NIV). ...
/c/cave.htm - 25k

Viciously (1 Occurrence)
... Viciously (1 Occurrence). Judges 15:8 He struck them hip and thigh with a great
slaughter: and he went down and lived in the cleft of the rock of Etam. ...
/v/viciously.htm - 6k

Nephtoah (2 Occurrences)
... with the ancient ELEPH (which see) of Benjamin, and, on the ground that the Talmud
(see Talmud Babylonian, Yom' 31a) identifies Nephtoah with ETAM (which see ...
/n/nephtoah.htm - 9k

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