Etam

[Easton] Eyrie. (1.) A village of the tribe of Simeon (1 Chr. 4:32). Into some cleft (“top,” A.V.,; R.V., “cleft”) of a rock here Samson retired after his slaughter of the Philistines (Judg. 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 Chr. 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. [Smith] (lair of wild beasts). A village of the tribe of Simeon, specified only in the list in (1 Chronicles 4:32) comp. Josh 19:7 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. [Hitchcock] their bird, their covering [Nave] –1. A village of Simeon 1Ch 4:32 –2. A city in Judah 2Ch 11:6 –3. A name on the list of Judah’s descendants, but probably referring to number two 1Ch 4:3 –4. A rock where Samson was bound and delivered to the Philistines Jud 15:8 , 11-13 [OpenBible.info] now Khirbet el Khokh; palestine-family.net/index.php?nav=8-18&cid=17&did=193 [STEPBible TIPNR] A location first mentioned at Jdg.15.8) only referred to as Etam (עֵיטָם). [Theographic] A city of Judah, fortified by Rehoboam (2 Chr. 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.