2 Chronicles 11:6
New International Version
Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,

New Living Translation
He built up Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,

English Standard Version
He built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,

Berean Standard Bible
He built up Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,

King James Bible
He built even Bethlehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,

New King James Version
And he built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,

New American Standard Bible
He built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,

NASB 1995
Thus he built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,

NASB 1977
Thus he built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,

Legacy Standard Bible
Thus he built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,

Amplified Bible
He built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,

Christian Standard Bible
He built up Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He built up Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,

American Standard Version
He built Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,

Contemporary English Version
Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,

English Revised Version
He built even Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He rebuilt Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,

Good News Translation
Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,

International Standard Version
including Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,

Majority Standard Bible
He built up Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,

NET Bible
Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,

New Heart English Bible
He built Bethlehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,

Webster's Bible Translation
He built even Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,

World English Bible
He built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
indeed, he builds Beth-Lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,

Young's Literal Translation
yea, he buildeth Beth-Lehem and Etam, and Tekoa,

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will build the house of bread, and the place of ravenous beasts, and the pitching of tents,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he built Bethlehem, and Etam, and Thecue,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he built up Bethlehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,

New American Bible
He built up Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,

New Revised Standard Version
He built up Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Yorbaam said in his heart: “The kingdom is returning itself to the house of David.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He built even Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he built Bethleem, and Aetan and Thecoe,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Rehoboam Fortifies Judah
5Rehoboam continued to live in Jerusalem, and he built up cities for defense in Judah. 6He built up Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa, 7Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam,…

Cross References
1 Kings 12:25
Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim and lived there. And from there he went out and built Penuel.

2 Chronicles 8:5
He rebuilt Upper and Lower Beth-horon as fortified cities with walls, gates, and bars,

2 Chronicles 11:5
Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem, and he built up cities for defense in Judah.

2 Chronicles 14:6-7
Because the land was at peace, Asa built fortified cities in Judah. In those days no one made war with him, because the LORD had given him rest. / So he said to the people of Judah, “Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, with doors and bars. The land is still ours because we have sought the LORD our God. We have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side.” So they built and prospered.

2 Chronicles 17:12
Jehoshaphat grew stronger and stronger, and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah

2 Chronicles 27:4
He also built cities in the hill country of Judah and fortresses and towers in the forests.

2 Chronicles 32:5
Then Hezekiah worked resolutely to rebuild all the broken sections of the wall and to raise up towers on it. He also built an outer wall and reinforced the supporting terraces of the City of David, and he produced an abundance of weapons and shields.

1 Kings 15:17
Baasha king of Israel went to war against Judah and fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah.

1 Kings 15:21-22
When Baasha learned of this, he stopped fortifying Ramah and withdrew to Tirzah. / Then King Asa summoned all the men of Judah, with no exceptions, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and the timbers Baasha had used for building. And with these materials King Asa built up Geba of Benjamin, as well as Mizpah.

Nehemiah 3:16
Beyond him, Nehemiah son of Azbuk, ruler of a half-district of Beth-zur, made repairs up to a point opposite the tombs of David, as far as the artificial pool and the House of the Mighty.

Nehemiah 3:27
And next to them, the Tekoites repaired another section, from a point opposite the great tower that juts out to the wall of Ophel.

Isaiah 22:9-10
You saw that there were many breaches in the walls of the City of David. You collected water from the lower pool. / You counted the houses of Jerusalem and tore them down to strengthen the wall.

Jeremiah 41:9
Now the cistern into which Ishmael had thrown all the bodies of the men he had struck down along with Gedaliah was a large one that King Asa had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel. Ishmael son of Nethaniah filled it with the slain.

Matthew 16:18
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

Matthew 7:24-25
Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock.


Treasury of Scripture

He built even Bethlehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,

2 Chronicles 17:7
Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.

Joshua 19:15
And Kattath, and Nahallal, and Shimron, and Idalah, and Bethlehem: twelve cities with their villages.

Genesis 35:19
And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.

Etam

Judges 15:8
And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam.

1 Chronicles 4:32
And their villages were, Etam, and Ain, Rimmon, and Tochen, and Ashan, five cities:

Tekoa

2 Chronicles 20:20
And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.

2 Samuel 14:2
And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:

Nehemiah 3:5,27
And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord…

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2 Chronicles 11
1. Rehoboam raising an army to subdue Israel, is forbidden by Shemaiah
5. He strengthens his kingdom with forts and provisions
13. The priests and Levites, and such as feared God, forsaken by Jeroboam,
17. strengthen the kingdom of Judah
18. The wives and children of Rehoboam














He built up
This phrase indicates a period of construction and fortification. The Hebrew root word for "built" is "בָּנָה" (banah), which means to build, rebuild, or establish. In the context of Rehoboam's reign, this action signifies a strategic move to strengthen the kingdom of Judah after the division of Israel. It reflects a proactive approach to defense and governance, emphasizing the importance of preparation and foresight in leadership.

Bethlehem
Known as the birthplace of King David and later Jesus Christ, Bethlehem holds significant historical and theological importance. The Hebrew name "בֵּית לֶחֶם" (Beit Lechem) means "House of Bread," symbolizing sustenance and provision. Rehoboam's fortification of Bethlehem underscores its strategic and spiritual significance, serving as a reminder of God's provision and the fulfillment of His promises through the lineage of David.

Etam
This location is less well-known, but it is believed to be a site of natural fortifications, possibly near Bethlehem. The name "עֵיטָם" (Etam) may mean "place of birds" or "lair of wild beasts," suggesting a rugged terrain. Historically, Etam is associated with strength and refuge, as seen in its mention in the context of Samson's exploits (Judges 15:8, 11). Rehoboam's focus on Etam highlights the need for secure refuges and the wisdom in utilizing natural defenses.

Tekoa
Situated in the Judean hills, Tekoa is known for its rugged landscape and as the hometown of the prophet Amos. The Hebrew name "תְּקוֹעַ" (Tekoa) can mean "trumpet" or "to thrust," indicating a place of proclamation or action. Tekoa's inclusion in Rehoboam's building projects suggests its strategic importance in communication and defense. It serves as a metaphor for the prophetic voice and the call to action, reminding believers of the importance of vigilance and readiness in spiritual warfare.

(6) He built even.--And he built--i.e., fortified.

Beth-lehem.--Beit-lahm, on a rocky eminence, two hours south of Jerusalem (Genesis 35:19; Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:6). The birthplace of David and of Christ.

Etam.--Ain Attan; different from the place mentioned in 1Chronicles 4:32 and Judges 15:8, which lay in Simeonite territory. . . .

Verse 6. - Bethlehem. This was a case not of actual new building of a city, but of restoring and strengthening it. Bethlehem, originally Ephrath (Genesis 35:16; Genesis 48:7), was one of the very oldest towns existent in Jacob's time. It was not called Bethlehem till long after the settlement of the tribes. It was six miles from Jerusalem, on the east of the road to Hebron. Etam. A place near Bethlehem (1 Chronicles 4:3, 4, not 32; Septuagint of Joshua 15:60); possibly the resort of Samson after his revenge on the Philistines (Judges 15:8, 11). It was not the Etam mentioned as belonging to Simeon (1 Chronicles 4:32). Tekoa. According to Jerome, as also Eusebius, six Roman miles from Bethlehem, and nine from Jerusalem, or else, possibly by another road, twelve (Jerome's 'Pro-oemium in Amos,' and his 'Onomasticon'). It is absent from the Hebrew catalogue of Judah towns (Joshua 15:49), but is in the Septuagint Version of it. It was the place of the "wise woman" of 2 Samuel 14:2.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He built up
וַיִּ֧בֶן (way·yi·ḇen)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1129: To build

Bethlehem,
לֶ֛חֶם (le·ḥem)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1035: Bethlehem -- 'place of bread', a city in Judah, also a city in Zebulun

Etam,
עֵיטָ֖ם (‘ê·ṭām)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5862: Etam -- three places in Israel

Tekoa,
תְּקֽוֹעַ׃ (tə·qō·w·a‘)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8620: Tekoa -- a city in Judah


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 11:6 He built Bethlehem and Etam and Tekoa (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
2 Chronicles 11:5
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