עֲנָתוֹת

𐤏𐤍𐤕𐤅𐤕

Anatot

H6068 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ענת uncertain (possible ancient toponym; root meaning unknown)

Definition

Anathoth; the name of a Benjaminite town located northeast of Jerusalem, also used as a toponymic designation for people hailing from that place. The word functions primarily as a place name, but can also appear as a personal or family designation by geographic origin. Its referent is chiefly the Levitical town allotted to descendants of Aaron.

Semantic Range

town name northeast of Jerusalem, toponymic designation of origin; Levitical city, home of Jeremiah, ancestral inheritance for priestly families, personal designation for those from Anathoth

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root ענת (uncertain meaning; see entry for עֲנָת), most likely transmitted as a toponym. The plural form is common in biblical place-names and may indicate either multiple locations, a settlement with outlying areas, or a name of ancient, non-Hebrew origin assimilated into Hebrew as a "plural" form.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Anathoth appears most frequently as the name of a Benjaminite town granted to the descendants of Aaron (Josh 21:18; 1 Chron 6:60), later notable as the hometown of the prophet Jeremiah (Jer 1:1; 29:27; 32:7-8). In some cases, 'men of Anathoth' (e.g., 2 Sam 23:27) functions as a designation for individuals by place of origin. The plural ending is typical in many ancient Canaanite toponyms and need not indicate an actual plurality. The root ענת is otherwise unattested as a common noun in Hebrew, and is possibly related to the Northwest Semitic goddess Anat, thus the place name may reflect an earlier religious or linguistic substratum predating Israelite settlement. In later periods, the town is mentioned in post-exilic texts as still inhabited (Ezra 2:23; Neh 7:27). English translations render the term as "Anathoth," but in some religious traditions the connotation of a priestly town is emphasized due to its association with Levites and prophets. Anathoth as a personal or family designation always traces back to origin from this locality.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

plural of עֲנָת; Anathoth, the name of two Israelites, also of a place in Pal; Anathoth.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ענת (ʿ-n-t) — uncertain; ancient toponym of unknown meaning

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6032 עֲנָה Anat
H6069 עַנְתֹתִי the Anatotite

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6068-01 עֲנָתוֹת֙ anatot HNp Anathoth Anathoth 10
H6068-02 בַּ/עֲנָת֔וֹת baanatot HR/Np in Anathoth in Anathoth 4
H6068-03 וַ/עֲנָת֖וֹת vaanatot HC/Np Anathoth and Anathoth 1

Occurrences in Scripture

15 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6068-01 Joshua 21:18 עֲנָתוֹת֙ anatot HNp Anathoth Anathoth
H6068-01 1 Kings 2:26 עֲנָתֹת֙ anatot HNp Anathoth Anathoth
H6068-01 Isaiah 10:30 עֲנָתֽוֹת anatot HNp Anathoth Anathoth
H6068-02 Jeremiah 1:1 בַּ/עֲנָת֔וֹת baanatot HR/Np in Anathoth in Anathoth
H6068-01 Jeremiah 11:21 עֲנָת֔וֹת anatot HNp Anathoth Anathoth
H6068-01 Jeremiah 11:23 עֲנָת֖וֹת anatot HNp Anathoth Anathoth
H6068-02 Jeremiah 32:7 בַּ/עֲנָת֔וֹת baanatot HR/Np in Anathoth in Anathoth
H6068-02 Jeremiah 32:8 בַּ/עֲנָת֜וֹת baanatot HR/Np at Anathoth in Anathoth
H6068-02 Jeremiah 32:9 בַּ/עֲנָת֑וֹת baanatot HR/Np in Anathoth in Anathoth
H6068-01 Ezra 2:23 עֲנָת֔וֹת anatot HNp of Anathoth Anathoth