Ithnan
“Bestowed or Given”
Summary
A town in the extreme south of Judah near the border with the desert, mentioned between Hazor and Ziph in Joshua's territorial allotment.
☩Location
Ithnan was one of the cities in the far south of Judah, bordering on the desert region. It is mentioned in the territorial allotment between Hazor and Ziph, likely situated along the southern edge of the highland district. Jerome identified it with 'Ethnan' in the Onomasticon, though this identification cannot be confirmed. The site has not been positively identified by modern archaeology.
☩Etymology and Interpretation
The name Ithnan means 'bestowed' or 'given,' though some suggest it may indicate 'distance.' Some scholars propose joining Ithnan with the following name Ziph to read 'Ithnan-Ziph,' identifying it with Zephath, since there is no copula between the names in the Hebrew text and the enumeration in Joshua 15:32 seems to require this reading.
Related Verses1 mention
Joshua· 1 verse
References
- 1.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Ithnan," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Ithnan," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 3.James Orr (ed.), "Ithnan," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 4.George Morrish, "Ithnan," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).