Lexical Summary Anathoth: Anathoth Original Word: עֲנָתוֹת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Anathoth Plural of Anath; Anathoth, the name of two Israelites, also of a place in Pal -- Anathoth. see HEBREW Anath NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a place near Jer., also two Isr. NASB Translation Anathoth (15). Brown-Driver-Briggs עֲנָתוֺת and (1 Kings 2:26) עֲנָתֹת proper name Αναθωθ; 1. location (compare goddess Anat, reference below foregoing); — Isaiah 10:30; 1 Kings 2:26; Jeremiah 1:1; Jeremiah 11:21,22; Jeremiah 32:7,8,9; Joshua 21:18 (P), 1 Chronicles 6:45; Ezra 2:23 = Nehemiah 7:27; Nehemiah 11:32; modern `Anâtâ, approximately 3 miles north-northeast from Jerusalem, compare BuhlGeogr. 175 GASmGeogr. 315. 2. masculine a. 1 Chronicles 7:8. b. Nehemiah 10:20. Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting Anathoth lay within Benjamin’s inheritance, about three miles (five kilometers) northeast of Jerusalem on a ridge that slopes toward the Jordan Valley. Visible from the Temple Mount, the site (modern ʽAnata) occupied a strategic highland pass, enabling both easy access to Israel’s religious center and a defensible separation from urban life. Levitical Inheritance Joshua 21:18 and 1 Chronicles 6:60 list Anathoth among the four towns granted to the sons of Aaron. As a priestly settlement it supplied officers, teachers, and musicians for Temple service while functioning as a local hub for instruction in the Law (Deuteronomy 33:10). The town’s distinctly Levitical charter explains its constant appearance in priestly and prophetic contexts. Royal–Priestly Tension When Solomon deposed Abiathar for siding with Adonijah, he commanded, “Go to your fields in Anathoth” (1 Kings 2:26). The banishment shows Anathoth as both sanctuary and confinement for wayward clergy—symbolizing the balance of mercy and discipline within the Davidic kingdom. Benjamite Citizenry Although a Levitical city, Anathoth also housed Benjamite families (1 Chronicles 7:8). Hence “Anathothites” such as Abiezer (2 Samuel 23:27) and Jehu (1 Chronicles 12:3) served among David’s warriors. The mixed population illustrates how priestly towns could foster notable soldiers as well as priests. Prophetic Heritage Jeremiah introduces himself as “one of the priests at Anathoth in the land of Benjamin” (Jeremiah 1:1). His origin illuminates several aspects of his ministry: • Hostile Reception: “The men of Anathoth… say, ‘You must not prophesy in the name of the LORD, or you will die by our hand’” (Jeremiah 11:21). Their threat epitomizes Judah’s rejection of divine warning. Assyrian Threat and National Trauma Isaiah lists Anathoth among towns that “tremble” before the Assyrian advance (Isaiah 10:30). The verse situates the village in the line of march toward Jerusalem, highlighting its vulnerability and signalling judgment that would eventually reach the capital itself. Post-Exilic Continuity After the exile, 128 men of Anathoth returned with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:23; Nehemiah 7:27). Their descendants helped seal Nehemiah’s covenant (Nehemiah 10:19) and resettled the region (Nehemiah 11:32). The town’s re-establishment underscores God’s preservation of priestly ministry and tribal identity despite national catastrophe. Theological Themes 1. Covenant Faithfulness: Anathoth’s endurance from Joshua through Nehemiah illustrates the LORD’s unwavering commitment to preserve a priestly witness. Key References Joshua 21:18; 1 Kings 2:26; 1 Chronicles 6:60; 1 Chronicles 7:8; Ezra 2:23; Nehemiah 7:27; Nehemiah 10:19; Nehemiah 11:32; Isaiah 10:30; Jeremiah 1:1; Jeremiah 11:21; Jeremiah 11:23; Jeremiah 32:7-9. Forms and Transliterations בַּעֲנָת֑וֹת בַּעֲנָת֔וֹת בַּעֲנָת֜וֹת בענתות וַעֲנָת֖וֹת וענתות עֲנָת֔וֹת עֲנָת֖וֹת עֲנָת֥וֹת עֲנָתֹת֙ עֲנָתֽוֹת׃ עֲנָתוֹת֙ ענתות ענתות׃ ענתת ‘ă·nā·ṯō·wṯ ‘ă·nā·ṯōṯ ‘ănāṯōṯ ‘ănāṯōwṯ anatOt ba‘ănāṯōwṯ ba·‘ă·nā·ṯō·wṯ baanaTot vaanaTot wa‘ănāṯōwṯ wa·‘ă·nā·ṯō·wṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 21:18 HEB: אֶת־ עֲנָתוֹת֙ וְאֶת־ מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ NAS: Anathoth with its pasture lands KJV: Anathoth with her suburbs, and Almon INT: Anathoth pasture and Almon 1 Kings 2:26 1 Chronicles 6:60 1 Chronicles 7:8 Ezra 2:23 Nehemiah 7:27 Nehemiah 10:19 Nehemiah 11:32 Isaiah 10:30 Jeremiah 1:1 Jeremiah 11:21 Jeremiah 11:23 Jeremiah 32:7 Jeremiah 32:8 Jeremiah 32:9 15 Occurrences |
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