Lexical Summary bithron: Ravine, gorge, or division Original Word: בִּתְרוֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Bithron From bathar; (with the article) the craggy spot; Bithron, a place East of the Jordan -- Bithron. see HEBREW bathar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom bathar Definition forenoon NASB Translation morning (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs בִּתְרוֺן probably proper name, of a territory (cleft, ravine) east of Jordan; ׳כָּלהַֿבּ 2 Samuel 2:29. בתת (? cut off, sever, compare Arabic Topical Lexicon Geographical SettingBithron appears to designate a rugged stretch of country east of the Jordan River, probably a series of wadis or a deep ravine system running from the Jordan up toward the central Trans-Jordanian heights. Because the site is linked with Abner’s night march to Mahanaim, it is commonly located somewhere between the Jordan crossing near the Jabbok and the twin-camp stronghold of Mahanaim (2 Samuel 2:29). The terrain would serve as a natural corridor—steep, broken, and relatively secluded—well suited for a force in rapid withdrawal. Biblical Context The sole biblical reference occurs in the account of the brief but bloody clash between the forces loyal to Saul’s house and those committed to David: • After a stalemate at the pool of Gibeon erupts into full combat, Joab’s men gain the upper hand (2 Samuel 2:12–28). Thus, Bithron marks the midpoint in a strategic retreat that both saves Abner’s force from annihilation and prolongs the civil conflict that delays David’s full accession to the throne. Historical Significance 1. Boundary Marker: The passage implies that Bithron lay near tribal lines separating Benjamin and Gad or Manasseh. It therefore belongs among the natural landmarks that framed Israel’s internal geography during the united monarchy’s formative years. Translational Considerations Older translations (e.g., King James Version, English Standard Version) treat בִּתְרוֹן as a proper noun, “Bithron.” The Berean Standard Bible and several modern versions render it “the Arabah,” viewing the term as a common noun meaning “ravines” or “steppes.” Either choice preserves the inspired message: • If a proper name, Scripture pinpoints a specific valley region. Both nuances highlight God’s sovereign oversight of events and geography alike. Archaeological and Topographical Research No confirmed identification has been made, yet scholars suggest: • Wadi el-ʿAujah (south of the Jabbok) or These wadis fit the description of a broken ravine stretching between the Jordan and the highlands, offering water sources and concealment. Future surveys may shed light on settlement patterns or military roads dating to the early tenth century BC, the approximate period of David’s rise. Strategic and Spiritual Lessons 1. God’s Purposes Advance amid Conflict. Even a remote ravine becomes a thread in the tapestry of redemptive history, guiding events toward the unifying reign of David, ancestor of the Messiah (Matthew 1:1). Ministry Application • Teaching: Point out that every geographic detail in Scripture is intentional, underscoring the reliability of the biblical record. Summary Though mentioned only once, Bithron stands as a testimony to the precision of the biblical narrative, the strategic realities of Israel’s early monarchy, and the Lord’s sovereign direction of both geography and history toward His redemptive goal in Christ. Forms and Transliterations הַבִּתְר֔וֹן הבתרון hab·biṯ·rō·wn habbitRon habbiṯrōwnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 2:29 HEB: וַיֵּֽלְכוּ֙ כָּל־ הַבִּתְר֔וֹן וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ מַחֲנָֽיִם׃ NAS: all morning, and came KJV: and went through all Bithron, and they came INT: walked all morning and came to Mahanaim 1 Occurrence |
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, secuit, resecuit, abrupit).