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.

(lair of wild beasts).

E'TAM. A place in Simeon, 1 Chr 4:32; perhaps the modern 'Aitan. A place in Judah, 2 Chr 11:6 the source of the water for Solomon's gardens and the temple, according to Josephus. It has been identified with Urtae, near Bethlehem; but Drake suggests the spring 'Ain 'Atan, a few hundred yards south-east of Solomon's pools.

their bird, their covering

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.)