עֵיטָם
𐤏𐤉𐤈𐤌
Eytam
H5862 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper noun: Etam – the name of multiple locations in biblical texts, most notably a site associated with the tribal territory of Judah and another associated with Solomon’s administrative districts. The primary lexical sense is that of a place name, with unclear direct etymological meaning. The name may possibly relate to the Hebrew root for a predatory bird (such as a hawk) or spring, but this connection is uncertain.
Semantic Range
proper name of a place; possibly related in form to predatory bird or to the idea of a spring stronghold; not attested as a common noun
Root / Etymology
Derived likely from the root עַיִט ('to swoop down, pounce'; often associated with birds of prey), but the connection is uncertain and may have arisen through popular etymology. The morphology suggests it is a place name, not a common noun derived directly from the root.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, עֵיטָם (ʻÊytam) refers to at least two distinct locations: (1) A site in Judah (2 Chronicles 11:6), notable for its association with Rehoboam’s fortifications, and (2) a location near Bethlehem related to Solomon’s administrative arrangements (Judges 15:8, 15:11). It also marks the boundary between the tribal allotments of Judah and Dan. Modern identification remains uncertain; it may have contained springs or a strongpoint. Some propose a linguistic connection to עַיִט ('bird of prey') but the reasons for this connection are not explicit in the biblical text. The implication that Etam means 'hawk-ground' is speculative, based on theoretical etymology rather than clear textual evidence. In English translations, the name is transliterated as Etam, narrowing the range to a proper place name rather than implying a descriptive term. Anachronistic terms such as 'Palestine' do not reflect the actual biblical geography; Etam is always a locale in the hill country of Judah or its environs.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from עַיִט; hawk-ground; Etam, a place in Palestine; Etam.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עיט (ʿ-y-ṭ) — to swoop down, pounce, attack (of a bird of prey)
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5862-01 |
עֵיטָֽם | eytam | HNp |
Etam | Eytam | 5 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5862-01 |
Judges 15:8 | עֵיטָֽם | eytam | HNp |
Etam | Eytam |
H5862-01 |
Judges 15:11 | עֵיטָם֒ | eytam | HNp |
Etam | Eytam |
H5862-01 |
1 Chronicles 4:3 | עֵיטָ֔ם | eytam | HNp |
Etam | Eytam |
H5862-01 |
1 Chronicles 4:32 | עֵיטָ֣ם | eytam | HNp |
Etam | Eytam |
H5862-01 |
2 Chronicles 11:6 | עֵיטָ֖ם | eytam | HNp |
Etam | Eytam |