Bible Location
Meaning: their strength; their sign · 4 cross references · Modern-day map available
Etham was the wilderness-edge station on Egypt's frontier where Israel encamped before turning toward the sea crossing route. It is important because it marks the moment when the Exodus journey changes direction under God's command. First appears in Exod 13:20.1
Place meaning
their strength; their sign
Coordinates
30.47, 32.28
First appears
Exod 13:20
AI summary: Etham sits at a strategic turning point in the Exodus itinerary. Israel reaches the edge of the wilderness there, but instead of continuing by the obvious route, the people are redirected toward the place where God's deliverance will be displayed more fully at the sea. That makes Etham a station of suspense as much as geography. The cross references present Etham as the frontier camp where God's guidance overrules straightforward expectation.1
Place meaning
their strength; their sign
Latitude
30.47
Longitude
32.28
Bible references
4
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.) 3
Source note: this 1893 dictionary language reflects its period and may be culturally insensitive or outdated. It is presented as historical source material, not as ai-BIBLE’s language, interpretation, or endorsement.
AI-assisted summary prepared for ai-BIBLE and stored as page content, based on dictionary material, place metadata, and linked Bible cross references.
Alistair de Blacquiere-Clarkson, “ai-BIBLE Bible Names JSON Factsheet Aggregating Material from Smith’s Bible Dictionary & Hitcocks’s New and Complete Analysis of the Bible.” ai-BIBLE electronic edition, version 1.0.
M.G.Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, ai-BIBLE electronic edition, version 1.0.
Robert Rouse, “Theographic Bible Information,” Theographic-Bible-Metadata, 2020, https://github.com/robertrouse/theographic-bible-metadata.