ETAM, THE ROCK,

a cliff or lofty rock, into a cleft or chasm of which Samson retired after his slaughter of the Philistines. (Judges 15:8,11) This natural stronghold was in the tribe of Judah; and near it, probably at its foot, were Lehi and Ramath-lehi and Enhakkore. (Judges 15:9,14,17,19) The name Etam was held by a city in the neighborhood of Bethlehem, (2 Chronicles 11:6) which is known to have been situated in the extremely uneven and broken country round the modern Urtas.

E'TAM, THE ROCK, Samson's retreat after the slaughter of the Philistines. Jud 15:8, Jud 8:11. Condor locates it at Beit 'Atab, a little north of Esba'a (Eshtaol), which he thinks fully meets all the requisites of the case. It has clefts, caves, and a rock-tunnel which would so effectually conceal one that those not acquainted with the place might not find him, nor even the entrance to the tunnel except by accident. (Tent-Life, vol. i. p. 275.)