2 Chronicles 11:6 — Word Study
WLCוַיִּ֧בֶן אֶת־ בֵּֽית־ לֶ֛חֶם וְאֶת־ עֵיטָ֖ם וְאֶת־ תְּקֽוֹעַ׃
BSAHe built upbânâh▸ [established, fortified] BethlehemBêyth Lechem [house of bread, a place of abundance] EtamʻÊyṭâm [a fortified town, lair of wild beasts] TekoaTᵉqôwaʻ [a town in the hill country of Judah, rebuilt by King Rehoboam]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיִּ֧בֶן | and he built | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| בֵּֽית־ | Beth- | Noun proper |
| לֶ֛חֶם | -lehem | Noun proper |
| וְאֶת־ | and the object marker | Conjunction, particle |
| עֵיטָ֖ם | Etam | Noun proper |
| וְאֶת־ | and the object marker | Conjunction, particle |
| תְּקֽוֹעַ׃ | Tekoa | Noun proper |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | He built up Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa, |
| KJV | He built even Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa, |
| ASV | He built Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa, |
| YLT | yea, he buildeth Beth-Lehem and Etam, and Tekoa, |
| WEB | He built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa, |
| BBE | He was the builder of Beth-lehem and Etam and Tekoa |
Where they part company is in the translation of בָּנָה — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has one main clause with three direct objects, indicating the towns that were fortified.
6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Ellicott, Cambridge & more — read them ›
clause
verbבָּנָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — 2 Chronicles 11:6
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Rehoboam's Fortifications in Judahgenerated
2 Chronicles 11:6 describes King Rehoboam's efforts to strengthen his rule by building up several towns in Judah. This act of fortification was crucial for maintaining control and defense against potential threats. The towns mentioned are significant not only for their strategic locations but also for their historical and cultural importance in the region.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 35:19 | So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 17:12 | Now David was the son of a man named Jesse, an Ephrathite from Bethlehem of Judah who had eight sons in the days of Saul. And Jesse was old and well along in years. |
| 3 | Matthew 2:5–6 | “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: |
| 4 | Judges 15:8 | And he struck them ruthlessly with a great slaughter, and then went down and stayed in the cave at the rock of Etam. |
| 5 | 1 Chronicles 4:32 | And their villages were Etam, Ain, Rimmon, Tochen, and Ashan—five towns— |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — בָּנָה, vai.Yi.vengenerated
The verb בָּנָה (banah) means "to build" and encompasses the ideas of establishing and fortifying. It can refer to physical construction, such as building towns or houses, as well as metaphorical uses like establishing a lineage or community.
In this verse, the use of בָּנָה indicates that Rehoboam was not just constructing buildings but was also fortifying these towns as defensive measures, ensuring their role as secure locations within his kingdom.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The verse is presented in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the term built up.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is יִּ֧בֶן, he built, which governs the entire clause. The structure includes a noun phrase indicating the object of the verb, followed by three additional noun phrases that specify the towns being built up.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the action of building, highlighting the towns as the direct objects of Rehoboam's efforts.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates בָּנָה as ᾠκοδόμησεν (oikodomēsen), meaning 'he built.' This choice reflects a straightforward rendering of the Hebrew meaning, focusing on the act of construction.
The Greek term does not carry additional connotations found in the Hebrew, such as the sense of establishing or fortifying, which may indicate a slight narrowing of the original intent.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
2 Chronicles 11:6 tells us that King Rehoboam built up several towns in Judah, specifically Bethlehem, Etam, and Tekoa. These towns were fortified to protect the kingdom and ensure its stability during his reign.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Rehoboam built these towns to strengthen his defenses and maintain control over Judah following the division of the kingdom.
Bethlehem, known as the 'house of bread,' later became famous as the birthplace of Jesus.
Etam means 'lair of wild beasts' and was a fortified town, indicating its strategic importance.
Tekoa is a town in the hill country of Judah, noted for being the birthplace of the prophet Amos.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can we apply the idea of building up our communities in our own lives?
- What are some ways we can fortify our personal relationships and connections?
- In what areas of our lives do we need to establish stronger foundations?
- How does understanding the historical context of these towns enhance our reading of Scripture?
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 2 Chronicles 11:6 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHe built even Bethlehem,.... The place of our Lord's birth, about six miles from Jerusalem: and Etam; another city in the tribe of Judah; see 1 Chronicles 4:32, there was a rock of this name, Jude
Read John Gill on 2 Chronicles 11 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHe built even Bethlehem, and Etam, and Tekoa, No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on 2 Chronicles 11 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(6) He built even.—And he built—i.e., fortified. Beth-lehem.—Beit-lahm, on a rocky eminence, two hours south of Jerusalem (Genesis 35:19; Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:6). The birthplace of David and of Christ. Etam.—Ain Attân; different from the place mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4:32 and Judges 15:8, which lay in Simeonite territory. Tekoa.—Teku’a; ruins on a hill two hours south of Bethlehem. (See Joshua 15:59, Note.)
Read Charles John Ellicott on 2 Chronicles 11 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges6. Etam] Probably represented by some ruins a little to the S.W. of Beth-lehem, by which is a spring called Ain ‘Atân. Cp. 1 Chronicles 4:3 Bädeker, p. 132.
Read Cambridge on 2 Chronicles 11 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleSee Josh. 15 and notes at Joshua 15:33-36, notes; Joshua 15:48-51, notes; Joshua 15:58-59, notes. For Adullam see 1 Samuel 22:1 note. It was in the near neighborhood of Socoh Joshua 15:35; but its site cannot be actually fixed.
Read Albert Barnes on 2 Chronicles 11 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible6. Beth-lehem — The city of David and of Christ. See on Rth 1:1; Matthew 2:1. Etam — Identified by Dr. Robinson with the ruined village Urtas, about a mile south of Beth-lehem.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on 2 Chronicles 11 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
He built up Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,
He built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,
He built up Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,
Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,
Tyndale line
He built even Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,
He built Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,
He built even Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,
He built even Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,
Hee buylt also Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,
Strictly literal
And he built Bethlehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,
yea, he buildeth Beth-Lehem and Etam, and Tekoa,
indeed, he builds Beth-Lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,
He built, namely, Beth-lechem, and 'Etam, and Thekoa'.
He built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,
From the Latin
And he built Bethlehem, and Etam, and Thecue,
Simplified
He built up Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,
He was the builder of Beth-lehem and Etam and Tekoa
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint show some agreement in the overall message, but only three of the eight words match directly. The Septuagint's phrasing and structure differ from the Hebrew, indicating a distinct translation approach.
וַיִּ֧בֶן אֶת־ בֵּֽית־ לֶ֛חֶם וְאֶת־ עֵיטָ֖ם וְאֶת־ תְּקֽוֹעַ׃
3 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in 2 Chronicles 11:6
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word בָּנָה (banah) means "to build" and encompasses various forms such as rebuilding, establishing, and making permanent. It can refer to physical construction, like building a house or family, as well as metaphorical uses, such as the establishment of restored exiles. The entries indicate that it can also imply being built up, particularly in the context of a childless wife becoming a mother.
בָּנָה 373 vb. build
Qal build
Niph.
be built
be rebuilt
(fig.) of restored exiles, = established
established, made permanent
base
H1129 בָּנָה build .build
.. . be built
. be rebuilt
. . (fig.) of restored exiles, = established
. established, made permanent
1129 banah baw-naw'
a primitive root; to build (literally and
figuratively):--(begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make,
repair, set (up), X surely.
בָּנָה (ba.nah) — to build.
1) to build, rebuild, establish, cause to continue
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to build, rebuild
1a2) to build a house (ie, establish a family)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be built
1b2) to be rebuilt
1b3) established (of restored exiles) (fig.)
1b4) established (made permanent)
1b5) to be built up (of childless wife becoming the mother of a family through the children of a concubine)
Aramaic equivalent: be.nah (בְּנָה "to build" H1124)
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HTo — ParticleHTo
בֵּית לֶ֫חֶם (Beyth Lechem) means 'house of bread' and refers to two locations in ancient Palestine: one in Judah, known as the birthplace of David, and another in Zebulun, northwest of Nazareth. The word is built from the roots for 'house' and 'bread'.
בֵּית לֶ֫חֶם 41 n.pr.loc.
in Judah, 2 hours south of Jerusalem; birth-place of David
in Zeb., 7 m. NW. of Nazareth
base
H1035 בֵּית לֶ֫חֶם . in Judah, 2 hours south of Jerusalem; birth-place of David
. in Zeb., 7 m. NW. of Nazareth
1035 Beyth Lechem bayth leh'-khem
from 1004 and 3899; house of bread; Beth- Lechem, a place in
Palestine:--Beth-lehem.
see HEBREW for 01004
see HEBREW for 03899
בֵּית לֶ֫חֶם (bet le.chem) — Bethlehem.
§ Beth-lehem = "house of bread (food)"
a city in Judah, birthplace of David
בֵּית לֶ֫חֶם (bet le.chem) — Bethlehem.
§ Beth-lehem = "house of bread (food)"
a place in Zebulun
N-proper — Noun properHNpl
Beth
Occurs frequently as the appellation for a house, or dwelling-place, in such compounds as the words immediately following:
the most general word for a house or habitation. It has the special meaning of a temple or house of worship Beth is more frequently employed in compound names of places than any other word.
House, forms a part of many compounds names of places, and sometimes means the place or dwelling; and at others the temple. This word becomes Beit in modern Arabic.
בֵּית לֶ֫חֶם (Beyth Lechem) means 'house of bread' and refers to two locations in ancient Palestine: one in Judah, known as the birthplace of David, and another in Zebulun, northwest of Nazareth. The word is built from the roots for 'house' and 'bread'.
בֵּית לֶ֫חֶם 41 n.pr.loc.
in Judah, 2 hours south of Jerusalem; birth-place of David
in Zeb., 7 m. NW. of Nazareth
base
H1035 בֵּית לֶ֫חֶם . in Judah, 2 hours south of Jerusalem; birth-place of David
. in Zeb., 7 m. NW. of Nazareth
1035 Beyth Lechem bayth leh'-khem
from 1004 and 3899; house of bread; Beth- Lechem, a place in
Palestine:--Beth-lehem.
see HEBREW for 01004
see HEBREW for 03899
בֵּית לֶ֫חֶם (bet le.chem) — Bethlehem.
§ Beth-lehem = "house of bread (food)"
a city in Judah, birthplace of David
בֵּית לֶ֫חֶם (bet le.chem) — Bethlehem.
§ Beth-lehem = "house of bread (food)"
a place in Zebulun
HNpl — Noun properHNpl
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HC/To — Conjunction · particleHC/To
עֵיטָם (‘Eytam) refers to a location in Palestine, specifically a fortified town associated with the tribe of Simeon. The name is thought to mean 'lair of wild beasts.' It is mentioned as a site fortified by King Rehoboam, situated between Bethlehem and Tekoa, though its exact location remains uncertain.
עֵיטָם n.pr.loc. (perh. animal-name)
perh. near town
city fortified by Rehob., between Bethlehem and Tekoa
in Simeon
base
H5862 עֵיטָם
5862 `Eytam ay-tawm'
from 5861; hawk-ground; Etam, a place in Palestine:--Etam.
see HEBREW for 05861
עֵיטָם (e.tam) — Etam.
§ Etam = "lair of wild beasts"
a cliff; site uncertain
עֵיטָם (e.tam) — Etam.
§ Etam = "lair of wild beasts"
a village of the tribe of Simeon
עֵיטָם (e.tam) — Etam.
§ Etam = "lair of wild beasts"
a town in Judah fortified and garrisoned by king Rehoboam of Judah and located between Bethlehem and Tekoa
N-proper — Noun properHNpl
e'-tam `eTam; Codex Alexandrinus, Apan, Codex Vaticanus, Aitan:
(1) Mentioned in Septuagint along with Tekoa, Bethlehem and Phagor (Jos 15:59). In 2Ch 11:6 it occurs, between Bethlehem and Tekoa, as one of the cities built "for defense in Judah" by Rehoboam. Josephus writes that "there was a certain place, about 50 furlongs distant from Jerusalem which is called Ethan, very pleasant it is in fine gardens and abounding in rivulets of water; whither he (Solomon) used to go out in the morning" (Ant., VIII, vii, 3). Mention of `Ain `Aitan, which is described as the most elevated place in Palestine, occurs in the Talmud (Zebhachim 54b), and in the Jer. Talmud (Yoma' 3 fol 41) it is mentioned that a conduit ran from `Atan to the Temple.
Etam
Eyrie. (1.) A village of the tribe of Simeon (1 Chr. 4:32). Into some cleft (“top,” A.V.,; R.V., “cleft”) of a rock here Samson retired after his slaughter of the Philistines (Judg. 15:8, 11). It was a natural stronghold. It has been identified with Beit ’Atab, west of Bethlehem, near Zorah and Eshtaol. On the crest of a rocky knoll, under the village, is a long tunnel, which may be the “cleft” in which Samson hid.
(2.) A city of Judah, fortified by Rehoboam (2 Chr. 11:6). It was near Bethlehem and Tekoah, and some distance apparently to the north of (1). It seems to have been in the district called Nephtoah (or Netophah), where were the sources of the water from which Solomon’s gardens and pleasure-grounds and…
(lair of wild beasts). A village of the tribe of Simeon, specified only in the list in (1 Chronicles 4:32) comp. Josh 19:7 A place in Judah, fortified and garrisoned by Rehoboam. (2 Chronicles 11:6) Here, according to the statements of Josephus and the Talmudists, were the sources of the water from which Solomon’s gardens and the pleasure-grounds were fed, and Bethlehem and the temple supplied.
A town in Judah near Bethlehem and Tekoa; a favorite resort of Solomon, and fortified by Rehoboam, 1Ch 4:3,32 2Ch 11:6. Its supposed site is now occupied by a ruined village balled Urtas, a mile and a half southwest of Bethlehem, not far Solomon’s Pools. "The rock Etam" to which Samson withdrew, Jud 15:8-19, may have been in this vicinity, perhaps the Frank mountain two miles east.
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HC/To — Conjunction · particleHC/To
תְּקוֹעַ (teqo'a) refers to Tekoa, a location in southern Judah, known as a stockade. It was established by Ashur, son of Hezron, and is noted as the birthplace of the prophet Amos. The town was later rebuilt by King Rehoboam. The lexicons consistently identify it as a proper noun without significant disagreement.
תְּקוֹעַ n.pr.loc. in S. Judah
base
H8620 תְּקוֹעַ
8620 Tqowa` tek-o'-ah
a form of 8619; Tekoa, a place in Palestine:--Tekoa,
Tekoah.
see HEBREW for 08619
תְּקוֹעַ (te.qo.a) — Tekoa.
Tekoa or Tekoah = "a stockade"
town founded by Ashur son of Hezron
in the hill country of Judah near Hebron
rebuilt by king Rehoboam of Judah; birthplace of Amos
Also named: te.qo.i (תְּקוֹעִי "Tekoa" H8621)
N-proper — Noun properHNpl
te-ko'-a (teqoa', or teqo`ah; Thekoe; the King James Version Tekoah; one of David's mighty men, "Ira the son of Ikkesh," is called a Tekoite, te-ko'-it (teqo`i; 2Sa 23:26; 1Ch 11:28; 27:9; the "woman of Tekoa" [2Sa 14:2] is in Hebrew teqo`ith; in Ne 3:5 mention is made of certain Tekoites, te-ko'its teqo'im, who repaired part of the walls of Jerusalem):
1. Scripture References:
From here came the "wise woman" brought by Joab to try and make a reconciliation between David and Absalom (2Sa 14:2 f); it was one of the cities fortified by Rehoboam (2Ch 11:6; Josephus, Ant…
Jer 6:1, a city of Judah, now in ruins, situated on an extended height, twelve miles south of Jerusalem. Here originated the wise woman who was Joab’s agent, 2Sa 14:2, and Amos the prophet, Am 1:1. It was inhabited by Christians in the time of the crusades.
The wilderness of Tekoa, mentioned in 2Ch 20:20, inclines toward the Dead Sea.
trumpet; that is confirmed
1. Son of Ashur 1Ch 2:24; 4:5
Some authorities interpret these passages to mean that Ashur colonized the town of Tekoah
2. TEKOA
See TEKOAH