Topical Encyclopedia
Etham is a location mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible, specifically in the context of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. It is noted as one of the stations where the Israelites camped during their journey through the wilderness. The significance of Etham lies in its role as a transitional point in the early stages of the Exodus narrative.
Biblical References:1.
Exodus 13:20 : "They set out from Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness." This verse places Etham as the next stop after Succoth, indicating its position at the boundary of the wilderness. The mention of Etham here highlights the beginning of the Israelites' journey into the more desolate and challenging parts of their travels.
2.
Numbers 33:6-8 : "They set out from Succoth and camped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. They set out from Etham and turned back to Pi-hahiroth, east of Baal-zephon, and camped near Migdol." This passage provides a more detailed itinerary of the Israelites' journey, confirming Etham as a significant waypoint before they turned back towards the Red Sea crossing.
Geographical and Historical Context:Etham is described as being "on the edge of the wilderness," suggesting it was located at the frontier between the cultivated lands of Egypt and the arid desert regions. The exact location of Etham is not definitively known today, and it remains a subject of scholarly debate. Some propose it was situated in the northeastern part of the Sinai Peninsula, while others suggest locations closer to the Gulf of Suez.
The journey from Succoth to Etham marks a critical phase in the Exodus, as the Israelites moved from areas of relative safety and provision into the uncertainty of the wilderness. This transition underscores the theme of reliance on divine guidance and provision, as the Israelites were led by the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night (
Exodus 13:21-22).
Theological Significance:From a theological perspective, Etham represents a point of testing and faith for the Israelites. It is a place where they had to trust in God's leadership as they ventured into the unknown. The journey to and from Etham illustrates the broader narrative of the Exodus, where God demonstrates His power and faithfulness in guiding His people.
Etham's mention in the biblical text serves as a reminder of the Israelites' dependence on God during their formative journey. It is a testament to the challenges faced by the people of Israel and the divine intervention that characterized their path to the Promised Land.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Ethamtheir strength; their sign
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Etham(bounded by the sea), one of the early resting-places of the Israelites when they quitted Egypt; described as "in the edge of the wilderness." (Exodus 13:20;Numbers 33:6,7) Etham may be placed where the cultivable land ceases, near theSeba Biar or Seven Wells, about three miles from the western side of the ancient head of the gulf.
ATS Bible Dictionary
EthamA station of the Israelites soon after leaving Egypt,Exodus 13:20;Numbers 33:6. It lay near the head of the west gulf of the Red Sea, and the wilderness east of it was often called by the same name.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Perhaps another name for Khetam, or "fortress," on the Shur or great wall of Egypt, which extended from the Mediterranean to the Gulf of Suez. Here the Israelites made their third encampment (
Exodus 13:20;
Numbers 33:6). The camp was probably a little to the west of the modern town of Ismailia. Here the Israelites were commanded to change their route (
Exodus 14:2), and "turn" towards the south, and encamp before Pi-hahiroth. (see
EXODUS; PITHOM.)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ETHAMe'-tham ('etham; Othom,Exodus 13:20; Bouthan,Numbers 33:6, 7; in 33:8 the Septuagint has a different reading, "in their wilderness" showing another pointing for the word):
The name used to be explained as the Coptic Atium, "border of the Sea" (Gesenius, Lexicon, under the word) which would agree with the Hebrew (Numbers 33:8) where the "wilderness of Etham" is noticed instead of that of Shur (Exodus 15:22) East of the Red Sea (see SHUR). At Etham (Exodus 13:20), the Hebrews camped in the "edge," or at "the end," of the desert West of the sea that they were to cross (see EXODUS). This camp was probably near the North end of the Bitter Lakes, a march from Succoth. Brugsch (Hist. Egypt, II, 359) would compare Etham with the Egyptian Khetam ("fort"), but the Hebrew word has no guttural. The word Khetam is not the name of a place (see Pierret, Vocab. hieroglyph., 453), and more than one such "fort" seems to be noticed (see PITHOM). In the reign of Seti II a scribe's report mentions the pursuit of two servants, apparently from Zoan, to the fortress of I-k-u southward, reaching Khetam on the 3rd day; but if this was the "Khetam of Rameses II," or even that "of Minepthah," it would not apparently suit the position of Etham.
SeeMIGDOL.
C. R. Conder.
Strong's Hebrew
864.Etham -- a place in Egypt... 863b, 864.
Etham. 864a . a place in Egypt. Transliteration:
Etham Phonetic
Spelling: (ay-thawm') Short Definition:
Etham.
Etham...864a.Etham -- a place in Egypt
... 864, 864a.Etham. 864b . a place in Egypt. Transliteration:Etham Short Definition:
Etham.... NASB Word UsageEtham (4). 864, 864a.Etham. 864b ....
Library
Book 2 Footnotes
... He thought the Israelites had proceeded as far as the desert ofEtham, Exodus
13:20, when they were commanded by God to return back, Exodus 14:2, and to pitch...
Book 8 Footnotes
... [18] Whether these fine gardens and rivulets ofEtham, about six miles from Jerusalem,
whither Solomon rode so often in state, be not those alluded to...
Psalm LXXIV.
... 15. "Thou hast dried up the rivers ofEtham" (ver.15)....What isEtham? For
the word is Hebrew. What isEtham interpreted? Strong, stout....
The Escape from Egypt
... any food for the journey. And they went from Succoth and camped atEtham
on the border of the wilderness. Jehovah went before them...
Contents and Character of the Extant Works.
... Accordingly, from the titles, some have been attributed to Idithum, some toEtham,
some to the sons of Core, some to Asaph, by men who have learned from the...
How Solomon Grew Rich, and Fell Desperately in Love with Women and...
... There was a certain place about fifty furlongs distant from Jerusalem, which is
calledEtham, very pleasant it is in fine gardens, and abounding in rivulets of...
Aron, Brother of Moses, 486, 487.
... Esther, Queen, [335]197. Eternity, eternal, meaning of, [336]3; our refuge,
[337]442.Etham, [338]347. Ethiopia and Ethiopians, [339]298, [340]346....
Election and Ordination of Bishops: Form of Service on Sundays.
... the general of the army, and didst overthrow the seven nations of Canaan by him;
[3656] Thou didst divide Jordan, and dry up the rivers ofEtham; [3657] Thou...
Thesaurus
Etham (4 Occurrences)...ETHAM.
... At
Etham (Exodus 13:20), the Hebrews camped in the "edge," or at "the end,"
of the desert West of the sea that they were to cross (see EXODUS).
...Camped (100 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV). Exodus 13:20 They took their journey from
Succoth, and encamped inEtham, in the edge of the wilderness....
Encamped (115 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS ASV DBY). Exodus 13:20 They took their journey from Succoth, and encamped
inEtham, in the edge of the wilderness. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV)....
Pihahiroth (4 Occurrences)
... 2, 9), how long is uncertain. Some have identified it with Ajrud, a fortress
betweenEtham and Suez. The condition of the Isthmus...
Pi-hahiroth (4 Occurrences)
... 2, 9), how long is uncertain. Some have identified it with Ajrud, a fortress
betweenEtham and Suez. The condition of the Isthmus...
Exodus (2 Occurrences)
... (see PITHOM.) Their third station wasEtham (qv), 13:20, "in the edge of the
wilderness," and was probably a little to the west of the modern town of Ismailia...
Succoth (18 Occurrences)
... The word means "booths." The distance fromETHAM (which see) suggests that the site
may have lain in the lower part of Wady Tumeilat, but the exact position is...
Pitched (101 Occurrences)
... Succoth. (KJV JPS). Numbers 33:6 And they departed from Succoth, and pitched
inEtham, which is in the edge of the wilderness. (KJV JPS)....
Encamp (108 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Encamp (108 Occurrences). Exodus 13:20 They took their
journey from Succoth, and encamped inEtham, in the edge of the wilderness....
Traveled (104 Occurrences)
... Succoth. (WEB). Numbers 33:6 They traveled from Succoth, and encamped inEtham,
which is in the edge of the wilderness. (WEB). Numbers...
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