עַטְרוֹת שׁוֹפָן
𐤏𐤈𐤓𐤅𐤕 𐤔𐤅𐤐𐤍
Aterot
H5855 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Atroth-Shophan is a toponym meaning 'Crowns of Shophan' or 'Encirclements/Settlements of Shophan,' designating a specific settlement located east of the Jordan River in the territory allotted to the tribe of Gad. The compound names a place associated with the masculine noun עֲטָרוֹת (crowns, encircling settlements) and a personal or clan name שׁוֹפָן (Shophan). The word is used in reference to this locale in Numbers 32:35.
Semantic Range
settlement or area encircled (figuratively 'crowned'), circle of dwellings, fortified site, actual 'crown' (literal or metaphorical), cluster/group; in compound toponyms, designating the settlement linked to a clan or founder (e.g. 'Crowns of Shophan')
Root / Etymology
עַטְרוֹת שׁוֹפָן is a compound proper name. The first element, עַטְרוֹת, is the plural of the feminine noun עֲטָרָה, derived from the root עטר meaning 'to crown, surround, encircle.' The second element, שׁוֹפָן, is likely a proper name, etymology uncertain, but phonologically related to the unused root שָׂפַן which has the idea 'to hide, conceal.' Thus, the composite might be interpreted as 'Encirclements of Shophan.' However, exact etymological connection of the second element remains uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
עַטְרוֹת שׁוֹפָן occurs in the territorial list of Numbers 32:35 as part of the Gadite holdings on the Transjordanian plateau, indicative of a fortified or settled site. The name follows a broader pattern of compound site names in ancient Israelite toponymy, where a descriptor (here, 'crowns/settlements') is paired with a clan or founder's name. The use of עֲטָרוֹת for settlement or encampment encircling a core, rather than literal 'crowns,' is contextually supported. Early translations and some traditions rendered the name as if referring to two separate places, but the syntax and construction favor a single composite toponym. English 'Palestine' in Strong's is anachronistic; the location should be situated in the eastern region allotted to the tribe of Gad during the time of tribal settlements (Late Bronze/Iron Age I). Later traditional Rabbinic and Septuagint renderings treat the name according to local historical understandings, but evidence for a separate 'Shophan' place is lacking. 'Jew' and 'Judaism' are anachronistic here; the context is Israelite tribal geography.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as עֲטָרוֹת and a name otherwise unused (being from the same as שָׂפַן) meaning hidden; crowns of Shophan; Atroth-Shophan, a place in Palestine; Atroth, Shophan (as if two places).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
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עטר (ʿ-ṭ-r) — to crown, encircle, surround, wreath
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5849 | עָטַר | the crowning one |
| H5850 | עֲטָרָה | crowns |
| H5851 | עֲטָרָה | Crown-Woman |
| H5852 | עֲטָרוֹת | Crowns |
| H5854 | עַטְרוֹת בֵּית יוֹאָב | Crowns of Joab’s House |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5855-01 |
עַטְרֹ֥ת | aterot | HNp |
Atroth | Encirclements of Shophan | 1 |
H5855-02 |
שׁוֹפָ֛ן | shofan | HNp |
Shophan | Shophan | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5855-01 |
Numbers 32:35 | עַטְרֹ֥ת | aterot | HNp |
Atroth | Encirclements of Shophan |
H5855-02 |
Numbers 32:35 | שׁוֹפָ֛ן | shofan | HNp |
Shophan | Shophan |