ETAM

A town in Judah near Bethlehem and Tekoa; a favorite resort of Solomon, and fortified by Rehoboam, 1Ch 4:3,32 2Ch 11:6. Its supposed site is now occupied by a ruined village balled Urtas, a mile and a half southwest of Bethlehem, not far Solomon’s Pools. "The rock Etam" to which Samson withdrew, Jud 15:8-19, may have been in this vicinity, perhaps the Frank mountain two miles east.

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Etam. Etam
Eyrie. (1.) A village of the tribe of Simeon (1 Chr. 4:32). Into some cleft (“top,” A.V.,; R.V., “cleft”) of a rock here Samson retired after his slaughter of the Philistines (Judg. 15:8, 11). It was a natural stronghold. It has been identified with Beit ’Atab, west of Bethlehem, near Zorah and Eshtaol. On the crest of a rocky knoll, under the village, is a long tunnel, which may be the “cleft” in which Samson hid.

(2.) A city of Judah, fortified by Rehoboam (2 Chr. 11:6). It was near Bethlehem and Tekoah, and some distance apparently to the north of (1). It seems to have been in the district called Nephtoah (or Netophah), where were the sources of the water from which Solomon’s gardens and pleasure-grounds and pools, as well as Bethlehem and the temple, were supplied. It is now ‘Ain ’Atan, at the head of the Wady Urtas, a fountain sending forth a copious supply of pure water.

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Etam. their bird, their covering

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ETAM. 1. A village of Simeon 1Ch 4:32 2. A city in Judah 2Ch 11:6 3. A name on the list of Judah's descendants, but probably referring to number two 1Ch 4:3 4. A rock where Samson was bound and delivered to the Philistines Jud 15:8,11-13