etham Summary and Overview

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 T0001283; PITHOM T0002968.)

(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.

E'THAM (boundary of the sea), a Station of the Israelites "in the edge of the wilderness." Ex 13:20; Num 33:6-7. Canon Cook would identify it with Pithom or ancient Hierapolis; others with Seba Beer, "seven wells," about 3 miles west of the Red Sea; Trumbull, with a "wall" from the Red to the Great Sea.

An early stage in Israel's sojourn in the wilderness, not far from the Red Sea (Numbers 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, Exodus 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.)