The Hebrew phrase ʻAṭrôwth ʼAddâr, represented by H5853, is a proper name for a place in Palestine. Its name translates to crowns of Addar. It is a specific geographical marker that appears 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible, both within the book of Joshua. Its primary function is to help define the boundaries of tribal land allotments.
In the biblical narrative, H5853 is used exclusively to demarcate territorial borders during the apportionment of the land of Canaan. It is mentioned as a point on the eastern border of the inheritance for the tribe of Ephraim Joshua 16:5. The name also appears in the description of the southern border for the same region, where the boundary line descends to Ataroth-adar near a hill south of Beth-horon the nether Joshua 18:13. In both instances, it serves as a precise landmark in the detailed surveying of the Promised Land.
Several related words help clarify the geographical context of H5853:
- H1366 gᵉbûwl (border): This word, meaning a boundary or the territory it encloses, is used in direct connection with ʻAṭrôwth ʼAddâr to define the limits of the tribal inheritance (Joshua 16:5, Joshua 18:13).
- H1032 Bêyth Chôwrôwn (Beth-horon): Defined as "house of hollowness," this town is consistently mentioned alongside ʻAṭrôwth ʼAddâr, indicating their close proximity. Both the upper Joshua 16:5 and nether Joshua 18:13 sections of Beth-horon are used as reference points.
- H3870 Lûwz (Luz): This place is mentioned as being near the border that leads toward ʻAṭrôwth ʼAddâr Joshua 18:13. The dossier notes that Luz was the original name for the city of Bethel (Genesis 28:19, Judges 1:23).
While a geographical term, the context of H5853 carries theological weight related to God's covenant faithfulness.
- Fulfillment of Promise: The detailed listing of borders and landmarks, including ʻAṭrôwth ʼAddâr, provides a tangible record of God fulfilling his promise to give the land of Canaan to the children of Israel.
- Divine Order: The meticulous description of these boundaries (Joshua 16:5, Joshua 18:13) demonstrates God's sovereignty and careful ordering of the lots for each tribe, ensuring that the distribution of the inheritance was not random but divinely administered.
- Geographical Anchor: The use of specific, named locations like ʻAṭrôwth ʼAddâr grounds the biblical account in real-world geography, reinforcing the historicity of the events surrounding the conquest and settlement of the land.
In summary, H5853 is not a person or abstract concept but a specific place name, Ataroth-adar. Its significance comes from its role as a key landmark in the book of Joshua. By marking the borders of Ephraim's inheritance, it serves as a testament to the literal fulfillment of God's covenant promises and the divine order established in the distribution of the Promised Land.
TRV