### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
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.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
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.
### Related Words & Concepts
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]]).
### Theological Significance
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.
### Summary
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