Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

ETAM

(Heb. ʿêṭām)

1. The place where Samson lodged after his slaughter of the Philistines following the murder of his wife and stepfather (Judg. 15:8). While staying at the rock of Etam, men of Judah came to Samson with the goal of delivering him into the hands of the Philistines (Judg. 15:11). The location remains uncertain.

2. A town occupied by the descendants of Simeon (1 Chr. 4:32). The location remains uncertain.

3. A town in the hill country of Judah, listed among the towns fortified by Rehoboam (2 Chr. 11:6). The LXX includes Etam in the list of towns near Bethlehem which it inserts after Josh. 15:59. Josephus (Ant. 18.3.2) locates Etam 8 Roman mi. S of Jerusalem, near Pilate’s aqueduct. He also claims (8.7.3) that Solomon often retreated to Etam when he wished to escape his busy capital. Due to its connections with Bethlehem and with the water supply of Jerusalem, most scholars have looked for Etam in the vicinity of ʿAin ʿAitān, a spring whose name may reflect that of the ancient town. The most suitable nearby site is Khirbet el-Khôkh (166121), situated on a ridge above the spring, ca. 3.5 km. (2 mi.) SW of Bethlehem in the vicinity of the traditional pools of Solomon.

Wade R. Kotter

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

ETAM

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)