עֲטָרוֹת
Ataroth, the name (thus simply) of two places in Palestine
Definition
עֲטָרוֹת (Ataroth) is a proper noun referring to at least two distinct towns in ancient Israel. The primary Ataroth is a city in the Transjordan region, east of the Jordan River, which the tribes of Reuben and Gad requested as part of their inheritance (Numbers 32:3) and later rebuilt (Numbers 32:34). Another Ataroth is located west of the Jordan, on the border between the tribal territories of Ephraim and Benjamin (Joshua 16:2, 16:7). A third possible location, Ataroth-beth-joab, is mentioned in 1 Chronicles 2:54 as belonging to the descendants of Caleb. The name itself means 'crowns' or 'wreaths,' likely describing the towns' elevated or fortified positions.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively as a place name in the Old Testament, appearing six times across four books. It is used in narrative contexts describing territorial claims, conquests, and tribal boundaries. In Numbers 32, it appears in the dialogue where the tribes of Reuben and Gad petition Moses for land (Numbers 32:3) and in the subsequent list of cities they built (Numbers 32:34-35). In Joshua 16, it functions as a geographical marker in the description of Ephraim's borders (Joshua 16:2, 7). Its final mention is in a genealogical context in 1 Chronicles 2:54.
Etymology
The word עֲטָרוֹת (Ataroth) is the plural form of the feminine noun עֲטָרָה (ʿaṭārâ, H5850), meaning 'crown,' 'wreath,' or 'garland.' It derives from the root עָטַר (ʿāṭar), meaning 'to surround' or 'to encircle.' As a place name, it likely describes the town's physical appearance—perhaps situated on a round hill or being encircled by walls—or symbolizes its importance or beauty. Similar naming conventions are seen in other Hebrew place names derived from common nouns.
Semantic Range
While primarily a geographical marker, the name Ataroth ('crowns') can subtly reflect themes of divine blessing, inheritance, and honor within the biblical narrative. The towns bearing this name were part of the Promised Land, allocated by God to the tribes of Israel. Their conquest and settlement (Numbers 32:34) fulfill God's covenant promises. The imagery of a 'crown' may poetically allude to the land itself as a God-given honor or adornment for His people, though this is implicit rather than a direct theological assertion in the texts.
In the ancient Near East, place names often described a location's physical features (like a crown-shaped hill), its function, or commemorated an event. Naming a town 'Crowns' (Ataroth) likely indicated it was a place of strategic importance, perhaps a fortified settlement on a prominent elevation, or a site of regional prestige. Understanding this helps modern readers visualize these towns not as arbitrary dots on a map, but as communities whose very names communicated their significance in the landscape and society of ancient Israel.
עֲטָרָה (ʿaṭārâ, H5850) — The singular form, meaning 'crown' or 'wreath,' from which the place name is derived. נֵזֶר (nēzer, H5145) — Another word for 'crown' or 'consecration,' often used for a priestly diadem or a symbol of separation to God. כֶּתֶר (kether, H3804) — A 'crown' of royalty, as in Esther 1:11; 2:17; 6:8.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →