Who and what is…
Etam
Meaning: eyrie/aerie (the nest of an eagle or other bird of prey, built in a high inaccessible place)
This was the name of a biblical man and 2 cities.
Etam, a man of the tribe of Judah whose sons where Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash, and daughter was Hazelelponi (1 Chronicles 4:3)
-
Etam, a Simeonite village in ancient Israel
“A village of the tribe of Simeon (1 Chronicles 4:32). Into some cleft (“top,” King James Version / Revised King James Version: “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 (aka Beit Itab / Bayt 'Itab / Bayt ʿIṭāb / بيت عطاب), 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.” —Matthew G. Easton
- What is the Tribe of Simeon?
- Who is Samson?
-
Elam, a city of Judah
This city was fortified by King Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 11:6).
”It was near Bethlehem and Tekoah, and some distance apparently to the north of the Etam in Simeon. 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.” —Matthew G. Easton