עֲנָתוֹת (a.na.tot)
a.na.tot
Anathoth
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 13 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The name Anathoth, derived from a root meaning "to answer," translates to "answers to prayer." It refers to a specific town in the territory of Benjamin, situated just north of Jerusalem. This location holds historical significance as an ancestral home for the priestly line and is most famously recognized as the birthplace of the prophet Jeremiah.
Scripture records this city in several contexts, highlighting its role in Israel’s tribal structure and later restoration efforts. In Joshua 21:18, Anathoth appears among the cities assigned to the priests, establishing its early religious importance. Centuries later, Nehemiah 7:27 lists it again during the return from exile, noting that some of its inhabitants did not return, while others rebuilt their community there.
The connection between the name’s meaning and its biblical narrative is striking. Jeremiah received his prophetic call in this very town (Jeremiah 1:1), marking a divine response to his life at a critical juncture. The consistent mention of Anathoth across different periods underscores its enduring place in the identity of Israel’s priestly and prophetic traditions.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Anathoth is a small town in Benjamin, yet it carries a name that means "answers to prayer." This place was home to Abiathar, a priest who served King David through difficult times, and it was the birthplace of Jeremiah. When God called Jeremiah, He did not reach out from a distant throne but spoke into the life of a young man in his own hometown. The name itself suggests that God listens closely to those He calls.
For you, this reminds us that faithfulness often begins in ordinary places. Jeremiah faced threats from his own neighbors, yet he continued to speak truth because he trusted the One who answered his calling. You do not need a grand stage to serve God; He meets you where you are. Whether you are serving in silence or speaking boldly, your work matters to Him.
Even when Jeremiah’s relatives tried to stop him, God’s purpose stood firm. The town that once seemed like a quiet corner of Israel became central to God’s plan for Judah. Your life, too, is part of a larger story. Trust that the same God who answered Jeremiah’s call is attentive to your prayers and purposes today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Anathoth8×
- [is] at/ Anathoth2×
- and/ Anathoth1×
- [were] at/ Anathoth1×
- [was] at/ Anathoth1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עֲנָת֔וֹת3×
- בַּ/עֲנָת֔וֹת2×
- עֲנָתוֹת֙1×
- עֲנָתֽוֹת\׃1×
- עֲנָתֹת֙1×
- עֲנָת֥וֹת1×
- עֲנָת֖וֹת1×
- וַ/עֲנָת֖וֹת1×
- בַּ/עֲנָת֜וֹת1×
- בַּ/עֲנָת֑וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 1:1
The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, one of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin.
This verse identifies Jeremiah’s origin in Anathoth, grounding his prophetic authority in a specific priestly lineage and hometown.
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I Kings 2:26
To Abiathar the priest the king said, “Go to Anathoth, to your own fields, for you are worthy of death. But I will not at this time put you to death, because you bore the Lord Yahweh’s ark before David my father, and because you were afflicted in all in which my father was afflicted.”
Solomon exiles Abiathar to Anathoth, fulfilling judgment on Eli’s house while sparing Abiathar’s life due to his past loyalty.
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Jeremiah 11:21
“Therefore Yahweh says concerning the men of Anathoth, who seek your life, saying, ‘You shall not prophesy in Yahweh’s name, that you not die by our hand’—
The men of Anathoth plot against Jeremiah, showing how even those from his own community rejected his message.
-
Jeremiah 32:8
“So Hanamel my uncle’s son came to me in the court of the guard according to Yahweh’s word, and said to me, ‘Please buy my field that is in Anathoth, which is in the land of Benjamin; for the right of inheritance is yours, and the redemption is yours. Buy it for yourself.’ “Then I knew that this was Yahweh’s word.
Jeremiah buys land in Anathoth during the siege, acting on God’s word as a sign of future restoration despite current despair.