עֲטָרוֹת (a.ta.rot)
a.ta.rot
Ataroth
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The name Ataroth, derived from the Hebrew root for "crown," appears in Scripture as a proper noun for two distinct locations. In Numbers 32:34 and Joshua 13:27, it identifies a town in Gilead east of the Jordan River that the tribe of Gad fortified and rebuilt after their inheritance was assigned. This settlement served as a strategic stronghold for the half-tribe who chose to remain on the eastern side of the river.
A second place bearing this name is mentioned in Joshua 16:2 and 18:14, situated on the border between the territories of Ephraim and Manasseh. While the Gadite Ataroth is explicitly described as a fortified city, the biblical text provides fewer details about the western location, listing it primarily as a boundary marker. The repetition of the name highlights how common descriptive titles were for ancient settlements.
Both sites share the same etymological root, suggesting they may have been named for their elevated position or prominence in the landscape, much like a crown sits atop a head. The brevity of the references underscores their role as geographical markers in the narrative of Israel’s territorial division rather than centers of major historical events.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Ataroth comes from a root meaning 'crown,' reflecting places that stood out in the landscape. In Numbers, the tribe of Gad chose to settle east of the Jordan and fortified this town as part of their inheritance. Their decision shows how they took responsibility for their new home, building up what God had given them.
Later, Joshua records another Ataroth on the border between Ephraim and Manasseh. These brief mentions remind us that God’s promises included specific, tangible places for His people. Even small towns played a role in the larger story of Israel’s settlement. This word points to the care God took in assigning every portion of the land.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Ataroth4×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עֲטָרֽוֹת\׃1×
- עֲטָרֹ֑ת1×
- עֲטָר֤וֹת1×
- עֲטָר֣וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 32:34
The children of Gad built Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer,
This verse shows Gad actively rebuilding Ataroth, highlighting their commitment to securing the land they requested.
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Joshua 16:2
It went out from Bethel to Luz, and passed along to the border of the Archites to Ataroth;
Here Ataroth serves as a boundary marker for Ephraim’s territory, showing how God defined the limits of each tribe's inheritance.
-
Joshua 16:7
It went down from Janoah to Ataroth, to Naarah, reached to Jericho, and went out at the Jordan.
This occurrence traces the route of Ephraim’s border, placing Ataroth within a specific geographical context near Jericho.