The Definition of the word 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.