Reference: Etham

A station of the Israelites soon after leaving Egypt, Ex 13:20; Nu 33:6. It lay near the head of the west gulf of the Red Sea, and the wilderness east of it was often called by the same name.

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; Nu 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.)

An early stage in Israel's sojourn in the wilderness, not far from the Red Sea (Nu 33:6-8). Etham is probably Pithom, the frontier city toward the wilderness. At this point the Israelites were told to change their direction of march and go southward, to the W. of the Bitter Lakes which separated them from the desert (Speaker's Commentary, Ex 14:2). Had Etham been half way between Mukfar and Ajrud (Robinson, Chart), Pharaoh could not have overtaken them, whether he was at Zoan or Rameses, which was two days journey from Etham. The journey from Etham to Pihahiroth, generally identified with Ajrud, would occupy two or three days. E-tham, like Pi-thom, means "the house" or "temple of Turn." (See PIHAHIROTH.)

Ex 13:20; Nu 33:6; the next station to Succoth in the Exodus. The name is not known in Egyptian. It lay 'in the edge of the wilderness,' evidently at the E. end of the Wady Tumilat, and probably northward of the 'Red Sea,' whether that means the Bitter Lakes or the Gulf of Suez.

F. Ll. Griffith.

E'tham

The place of the second encampment of Israel 'in the edge of the wilderness.' Ex 13:20; Nu 33:6-8.

E'tham

(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."

Ex 13:20; Nu 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.