עַטְרוֹת אַדָּר

𐤏𐤈𐤓𐤅𐤕 𐤀𐤃𐤓

Adar

H5853 noun

SILEX Entry

Root עטר, אדר to crown, surround, adorn; to be grand, strong

Definition

Ataroth-Adar (ʻAṭrôwth ʼAddâr) is a toponym designating a border settlement or region on the territory boundary between the tribes of Ephraim and Benjamin during the Israelite settlement period. It refers to a specific locality, linguistically expressing the idea of 'crowns of Addar' or 'Ataroth of Addar,' with 'Addar' likely representing a personal or family name.

Semantic Range

(proper noun) Ataroth-Adar, a border settlement or landmark; 'crowns/heights of Addar' referring to a specific location; reflects territorial, clan, or geographic associations in tribal boundary lists

Root / Etymology

The term is a compound of two words: עֲטָרוֹת (ʻAtaroth), the plural of עֲטָרָה (ʻatarah), meaning 'crown' or 'crest,' from the root עטר (to surround, crown). The second element, אַדָּר (Addar), is presumably a proper name, possibly meaning 'mighty' or 'grand,' but its etymology is less certain. Thus, עַטְרוֹת אַדָּר literally means 'crowns (or heights) of Addar.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

Ataroth-Adar appears primarily in the context of tribal boundary descriptions in the book of Joshua (Josh 16:5; 18:13). It delineates part of the border between the territories allocated to the tribes of Ephraim and Benjamin. The use of עטר ('crown') in toponyms likely indicates an elevated location or a distinguishing landmark. The element Addar may relate to a prominent individual, clan, or possibly a nearby older settlement. English translations typically encode the name directly as 'Ataroth-adar,' sometimes as 'Atroth-addar,' without reflecting the underlying semantic values. Unlike some toponyms, the name combines two components (likely a place and a clan/person), reflecting territorial organization in the early Israelite settlement period. Comparable to other biblical place names beginning with עֲטָרוֹת (see H5852), which may be connected to prominent topographical features ('crown,' 'crest') or to family/clan-based settlements.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the same as עֲטָרוֹת and אַדָּר; crowns of Addar; Atroth-Addar, a place in Palestine; Ataroth-adar(-addar).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אדר (ʾ-d-r) — majesty, might, grandeur, strength

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H115 אֲדוֹרַיִם Two Eminences
H117 אַדִּיר mighty
H142 אָדַר being made majestic
H143 אֲדָר Adar
H144 אֲדָר Adar

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5853-02 עַטְר֣וֹת aterot HNp Ataroth Crowns 2
H5853-01 אַדָּ֔ר adar HNp adar Addar 2

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5853-02 Joshua 16:5 עַטְר֣וֹת aterot HNp Ataroth Crowns
H5853-01 Joshua 16:5 אַדָּ֔ר adar HNp Addar Addar
H5853-02 Joshua 18:13 עַטְר֣וֹת aterot HNp Ataroth Crowns
H5853-01 Joshua 18:13 אַדָּ֔ר adar HNp adar Addar