Bible Dictionary
Etham
Etham was an early campsite of the Israelites after they left Egypt, located at the edge of the wilderness. From there God directed them to change their route toward the Red Sea.
Definition
Etham was an early encampment of the Israelites after they left Egypt. It stood at the edge or end of the wilderness, between Succoth and the later camp near Pi-hahiroth.
Biblical Usage
Israel camped at Etham after departing from Egypt. From there God commanded Moses to change the route and turn toward the sea, where the Israelites encamped before Pi-hahiroth.
Historical Background
Etham was probably near the northern end of the Bitter Lakes or near the place where cultivated land ended. It has also been compared with an Egyptian term for a fortress, though that identification is disputed in the supplied material.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Perhaps another name for Khetam, or “fortress,” on the Shur or great wall of Egypt, which extended from the Mediterranean to the Gulf of Suez. Here the Israelites made their third encampment (Ex. 13:20; Num. 33:6). The camp was probably a little to the west of the modern town of Ismailia. Here the Israelites were commanded to change their route (Ex. 14:2), and “turn” towards the south, and encamp before Pi-hahiroth. (See EXODUS; PITHOM.)
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(bounded by the sea), one of the early resting-places of the Israelites when they quitted Egypt; described as “in the edge of the wilderness.” (Exodus 13:20; Numbers 33:6,7) Etham may be placed where the cultivable land ceases, near the Seba Biar or Seven Wells, about three miles from the western side of the ancient head of the gulf.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>e'-tham ('etham; Othom, Ex 13:20; Bouthan, Nu 33:6,7; in 33:8 the Septuagint has a different reading, "in their wilderness" showing another pointing for the word):</p><p>The name used to be explained as the Coptic Atium, "border of the Sea" (Gesenius, Lexicon, under the word) which would agree with the Hebrew (Nu 33:8) where the "wilderness of Etham" is noticed instead of that of Shur (Ex 15:22) East of the Red Sea (see SHUR). At Etham (Ex 13:20), the Hebrews camped in the "edge," or at "the end," of the desert West of the sea that they were to cross (see EXODUS). This camp was probably near the North end of the Bitter Lakes, a march from Succoth. Brugsch (Hist. Egypt, II, 359) would compare Etham with the Egyptian Khetam ("fort"), but the Hebrew word has no guttural. The word Khetam is not the name of a place (see Pierret, Vocab. hieroglyph., 453), and more than one such "fort" seems to be noticed (see PITHOM). In the reign of Seti II a scribe's report mentions the pursuit of two servants, apparently from Zoan, to the fortress of I-k-u southward, reaching Khetam on the 3rd day; but if this was the "Khetam of Rameses II," or even that "of Minepthah," it would not apparently suit the position of Etham.</p><p>See MIGDOL.</p><p>C. R. Conder.</p>