Bible Dictionary
Ataroth
Ataroth was the name of several towns, including a city east of the Jordan, places on the boundaries of Ephraim and Benjamin, and a settlement associated with the house of Joab.
Definition
Ataroth, meaning “crowns” or “wreaths,” was the name of several places. These included a city east of the Jordan, a town on the boundary of Ephraim and Benjamin, a place on Ephraim’s eastern frontier, and Ataroth associated with the house of Joab in Judah.
Biblical Usage
The various Ataroth sites occur in territorial lists describing the inheritances and boundaries of Reuben, Gad, Ephraim, Benjamin, and Judah.
Historical Background
The eastern city was apparently in Reuben’s territory but was built or fortified by Gad and is associated with Khirbet Attarus. The boundary town is probably modern ed-Dariyeh south of Beth-horon. The eastern Ephraimite site has not been identified.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Crowns. (1.) A city east of Jordan, not far from Gilead (Num. 32:3). (2.) A town on the border of Ephraim and Benjamin (Josh. 16:2, 7), called also Ataroth-adar (16:5). Now ed-Da’rieh. (3.) “Ataroth, the house of Joab” (1 Chr. 2:54), a town of Judah inhabited by the descendants of Caleb.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(crowns).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>at'-a-roth, a-ta'-roth (`aTaroth, "crowns" or "wreaths"; Ataroth):</p><p>(1) A city East of the Jordan, apparently in the territory given to Reuben, but built, or fortified, by the children of Gad (Nu 32:3,34). It is named along with Dibon, which is identified with Dhiban. Eight miles Northeast by North of Dibon, on the South of Wady Zerqa Ma`in, stands Jebel `Attarus, in which the ancient name is preserved. The city is doubtless represented by Khirbet `Attarus, about 4 miles West of the mountain.</p><p>(2) A place on the boundary between Ephraim and Benjamin, toward the West (Jos 16:2). It seems to be the same as Ataroth- addar of Jos 16:5, 18:13. It is probably to be identified with the modern ed-Dariyeh South of nether Bethhoron, and about 12 1/2 miles West of Jerusalem.</p><p>(3) A place on the eastern frontier of Ephraim (Jos 16:7). This town has not been identified. Conder thinks it may be identified with et-Truneh in the Jordan valley, or with Khirbet et-Taiyereh.</p><p>W. Ewing</p>