Topical Encyclopedia At'aroth is a name that appears in the Old Testament, referring to several locations and possibly a family lineage. The name At'aroth, meaning "crowns" or "walled cities," is indicative of its significance in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of territorial inheritance and settlement among the tribes of Israel.1. At'aroth in the Transjordan: At'aroth is first mentioned in the context of the Transjordan region, east of the Jordan River. In Numbers 32:3, the tribes of Reuben and Gad, who possessed large herds of livestock, requested to settle in the fertile lands of Jazer and Gilead, which included At'aroth. The passage states: "At'aroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon." These cities were part of the territory that the tribes of Reuben and Gad sought to inhabit, as they were suitable for their livestock. 2. At'aroth as a Rebuilt City: Later in Numbers 32:34, the text records the rebuilding of At'aroth by the tribe of Gad: "And the Gadites built up Dibon, At'aroth, Aroer." This indicates that At'aroth was not only a significant location for settlement but also a city that required fortification and development by the Israelites as they established their presence in the region. 3. At'aroth in the Allotment of Land: In the book of Joshua, At'aroth is mentioned in the context of the allotment of land to the tribes of Israel. Joshua 16:2 describes the boundary of the territory assigned to the tribe of Ephraim: "It went from Bethel (that is, Luz), crossed over to the territory of the Arkites in At'aroth." This reference situates At'aroth within the central hill country of Canaan, highlighting its role in the delineation of tribal boundaries. 4. At'aroth-addar: Another mention of At'aroth is found in Joshua 16:5, where it is referred to as At'aroth-addar. This location is part of the border of the tribe of Ephraim: "The border of their inheritance went from At'aroth-addar in the east to Upper Beth-horon." At'aroth-addar served as a landmark in the demarcation of Ephraim's territory, emphasizing its geographical and strategic importance. 5. Historical and Archaeological Insights: While the exact identification of At'aroth remains uncertain, archaeological evidence and historical geography suggest that it was a fortified city, possibly located in the region of modern-day Jordan. The biblical references to At'aroth underscore its role as a significant settlement during the period of Israelite conquest and settlement. In summary, At'aroth is a multifaceted term in the biblical narrative, representing both a geographical location and a symbol of territorial inheritance. Its repeated mention in the context of tribal boundaries and settlement highlights its importance in the history of the Israelites as they established themselves in the Promised Land. Concordance At'aroth (4 Occurrences)Numbers 32:3 Numbers 32:34 Joshua 16:2 Joshua 16:7 Thesaurus At'aroth (4 Occurrences)At'aroth. Ataroth, At'aroth. Atarothadar . Multi-Version Concordance At'aroth (4 Occurrences). Numbers 32:3 "Ataroth, and Dibon, and ... /a/at'aroth.htm - 7k At'aroth-ad'dar (2 Occurrences) Ataroth (7 Occurrences) Ataroth-addar (2 Occurrences) Atarothadar (1 Occurrence) Ate (138 Occurrences) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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