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Ataroth

Meaning: crowns

This is the name of 3 different biblical cities.

  1. Ataroth, east of the Jordan River

    At the end of the Exodus, when the Israelites were about to enter into their Promised Land, two of their tribes asked Moses for an exemption. They received it with the condition that their warriors would continue to fight alongside the other tribes till the conquest of the Promised Land was completed.

    Now the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad had an exceedingly large number of livestock. And they saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead, that it was indeed a place suitable for livestock, so the sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben came and spoke to Moses and to Eleazar the priest and to the leaders of the congregation, saying,

    “Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon, the land, which Yahweh struck before the congregation of Israel, is a land for livestock, and your servants have livestock.”

    And they said, “If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants as a possession; do not take us across the Jordan.” —Numbers 32:1-5 LSB

    And the sons of Gad built Dibon and Ataroth and Aroer, and Atroth-shophan and Jazer and Jogbehah, and Beth-nimrah and Beth-haran as fortified cities, and sheepfolds for sheep. —Numbers 32:34-36

  2. Ataroth, a tribal border city

    also known as: Ataroth-Adar

    It was on the of the Tribe of Ephraim and Benjamin (Joshua 16:2, 7).

    It is also called Ataroth-Adar (Joshua 16:5). It was on the west border of Benjamin (Joshua 16:5; 18:13).

  3. Atroth-beth-joab

    This name means “Atroth, the house of Joab” (1 Chronicles 2:54).

    This is a town of Judah inhabited by the descendants of Caleb.

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Article Version: October 8, 2025