Ataroth is a Hebrew word that is spelled with the consonants "aleph-tet-resh-vav-tet". In IPA phonetic transcription, it is spelled as /a.ta.ɾot/ where the first syllable has a short "a" sound, the second syllable has a short "a" followed by a hard "t" sound, and the final syllable has a long "o" sound followed by a hard "t" sound. It refers to a town in ancient Israel, mentioned in the Old Testament, that was later identified as a site in modern-day Jordan.
Ataroth is a noun that refers to a biblical name and location mentioned in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. The term originates from Hebrew, specifically from the root word "atar," meaning to crown or encircle.
In the Old Testament, Ataroth is mentioned as a city in the territory of Gad, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. It is believed to have been located east of the Jordan River, within the boundaries of the Promised Land. Notably, Ataroth is listed among the cities conquered by King Sihon of the Amorites, described in the book of Numbers. The city is also mentioned in the book of Joshua as a conquered territory.
In the New Testament, Ataroth (spelled as Ataroth-Addar) is listed among the places that represent the eastern border of Judah. It is believed to have been located close to the Dead Sea.
Overall, Ataroth has primarily been described as an ancient biblical city, both in Hebrew scriptures and Christian texts. It often symbolizes a significant historical location within the biblical narrative, relating to the conquest and settlement of the Promised Land. Due to the limited historical records available, the exact location of Ataroth remains uncertain, leading to various interpretations and speculations in biblical scholarship.
The word "Ataroth" has its origins in the Hebrew language. It is derived from the Hebrew word "Atar", which means "crown" or "diadem". The added suffix "-oth" is a common Hebrew plural ending. Therefore, "Ataroth" can be understood to mean "crowns" or "diadems" in Hebrew. The term "Ataroth" is also the name of several locations mentioned in the Bible, particularly in the book of Joshua.