Biblical References:
Zarethan is a location mentioned in the Old Testament, primarily within the context of the Israelites' history and their interactions with the surrounding regions. It is referenced in several passages, including 1 Kings 7:46, Joshua 3:16, and 2 Chronicles 4:17.

1. 1 Kings 7:46 : "The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Succoth and Zarethan."
2. Joshua 3:16 : "The waters flowing downstream stood still and rose up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the waters flowing toward the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) were completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho."
3. 2 Chronicles 4:17 : "The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Succoth and Zarethan."

Geographical Context:
Zarethan is situated in the Jordan Valley, near the Jordan River. It is often associated with the region between Succoth and the Jordan River, indicating its proximity to significant biblical events and locations. The exact location of Zarethan is not definitively known today, but it is generally believed to be in the vicinity of the modern-day Jordan Valley.

Historical and Theological Significance:
Zarethan holds historical significance due to its mention in the context of Solomon's reign and the construction of the temple. In 1 Kings 7:46 and 2 Chronicles 4:17, Zarethan is noted as the site where King Solomon had bronze items cast for the temple. This highlights the area's role in the grand construction projects of Solomon's era, reflecting the wealth and resources available during his reign.

Theologically, Zarethan is significant in the narrative of the Israelites crossing the Jordan River. In Joshua 3:16, the miraculous stopping of the Jordan's waters is described as occurring near Zarethan. This event is a testament to God's power and faithfulness in leading the Israelites into the Promised Land, fulfilling His covenant promises to the patriarchs.

Cultural and Archaeological Insights:
While the precise location of Zarethan remains uncertain, archaeological findings in the region have provided insights into the ancient cultures that inhabited the Jordan Valley. The area is rich in history, with evidence of ancient settlements and trade routes that would have been significant during the biblical period.

Conclusion:
Zarethan serves as a reminder of the historical and theological narratives that are central to the Old Testament. Its mention in the context of significant biblical events underscores its importance in the unfolding account of God's people and His divine interventions in their history.ZARETHAN

zar'-e-than (tsarethan): A city, according to Joshua 3:16 (omitted, however, by the Septuagint) near Adam, which is probably to be identified with Tell Damieh at the mouth of the Jabbok. In 1 Kings 4:12 it is mentioned in connefection with Bethshean and said to be "beneath Jezreel." In 1 Kings 7:46, this is said to be at "the ford of Adamah," according to the reading of some, but according to the Massoretic text, "in the clay around between Succoth and Zarethan," where the bronze castings for the temple were made by Solomon's artificers. In 2 Chronicles 4:17, the name appears as Zeredah, which in 1 Kings 11:26 is said to have been the birthplace of Jeroboam, son of Nebat. In Judges 7:22, Gibeon is said to have pursued the Midianites "as far as Bethshittah toward Zererah," which is probably a misreading for Zeredah, arising from the similarity of the Hebrew letters daleth and resh. The place has not been positively identical. From the suggestion that the name means "the great (or lofty) rock," it has without sufficient reason been supposed that it designates the conspicuous peak of Kurn Surtabheh which projects from the mountains of Ephraim into the valley of the Jordan opposite the mouth of the Jabbok.

George Frederick Wright

6891. Tsarethan -- a city in the Jordan Valley
... 6890, 6891. Tsarethan. 6892 . a city in the Jordan Valley. Transliteration:
Tsarethan Phonetic Spelling: (tsaw-reth-awn') Short Definition: Zarethan. ...
/hebrew/6891.htm - 6k

Crossing the River Jordan
... time"the waters that came down from above stood still and its waters rose in a heap
a long distance up the river at Adam, the city that is near Zarethan. ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/crossing the river jordan.htm

Zarethan (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ZARETHAN. zar'-e ... Jabbok. George Frederick Wright.
Multi-Version Concordance Zarethan (4 Occurrences). Joshua ...
/z/zarethan.htm - 9k

Abel-meholah (3 Occurrences)
... Zererah (Zeredah) is Zarethan (2 Chronicles 4:17; compare 1 Kings 7:46), separated
from Succoth by the clay ground where Solomon made castings for the temple. ...
/a/abel-meholah.htm - 10k

Zar'ethan (1 Occurrence)
Zar'ethan. Zarethan, Zar'ethan. Zarethshahar . Multi-Version Concordance ... (See
RSV). Zarethan, Zar'ethan. Zarethshahar . Reference Bible.
/z/zar'ethan.htm - 6k

Zartanah (1 Occurrence)
... ZARTANAH. zar-ta'-na, zar'-ta-na (tsarethanah): the King James Version in 1 Kings
4:12 for "Zarethan." The form is Zarethan with Hebrew locale. ...
/z/zartanah.htm - 7k

Abelmeholah (3 Occurrences)
... Zererah (Zeredah) is Zarethan (2 Chronicles 4:17; compare 1 Kings 7:46), separated
from Succoth by the clay ground where Solomon made castings for the temple. ...
/a/abelmeholah.htm - 9k

Succoth (18 Occurrences)
... In the soil of the valley between Succoth and Zarethan, which was suitable for the
purpose, the brass castings of the furniture for Solomon's Temple were made ...
/s/succoth.htm - 16k

Clay (50 Occurrences)
... ma`abheh ha-'adhamah (compare 2 Chronicles 4:17, `abhi ha-'adhamah) is the compact
or clayey soil in the plain of Jordan between Succoth and Zarethan, in which ...
/c/clay.htm - 25k

Zaretan (3 Occurrences)

/z/zaretan.htm - 8k

Vicinity (18 Occurrences)
... Joshua 3:16 that the waters which came down from above stood, and rose up in one
heap, a great way off, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan; and those ...
/v/vicinity.htm - 11k

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