Lexical Summary Atroth Shophan: Atroth Shophan Original Word: עַטְרוֹת שׁוֹפָן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Atroth, Shophan as if two places From the same as Atarowth and a name otherwise unused (being from the same as saphan) meaning hidden; crowns of Shophan; Atroth-Shophan, a place in Palestine -- Atroth, Shophan (as if two places). see HEBREW Atarowth see HEBREW saphan NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Ataroth and saphan Definition a place in Isr. NASB Translation Atroth-shophan (1). Topical Lexicon Name and Summary Atroth Shophan is a fortified settlement listed among the towns built or rebuilt by the tribe of Gad in Transjordan following Israel’s victories over Sihon and Og. It is mentioned once, in Numbers 32:35. Scriptural Occurrence Numbers 32:34-36 records: “The Gadites built up Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer, Atroth Shophan, Jazer, Jogbehah, Beth Nimrah, and Beth Haran as fortified cities, and they built folds for their flocks.” (Berean Standard Bible) Biblical Setting 1. The request of Reuben and Gad (Numbers 32:1-5) arose from their large herds and the pastureland east of the Jordan River. Geographical Location • Situated in the plateau region north of Heshbon and south of Jazer, Atroth Shophan lay within the fertile Mishor of Gilead. Historical Significance • Fortification: The inclusion among “fortified cities” shows the immediate need to secure the newly acquired Transjordan lands against remaining Amorite enclaves and later Moabite and Ammonite pressure. Theological and Ministry Themes • Faithfulness to Commitments: Gad’s construction of Atroth Shophan exemplifies responsible follow-through after pledging to fight alongside the other tribes—a model for honoring covenants. Connections with Other Biblical Towns Named Atroth The root element “Atroth” appears in several locations (Joshua 16:5-7; 1 Chronicles 2:54). While each site is distinct, the repetition underscores a cultural practice of naming towns to commemorate victory, prominence, or divine favor, and it illustrates the spread of Israelite settlement both west and east of the Jordan. Lessons for Today 1. Strategic planning for the wellbeing of families and communities is compatible with wholehearted participation in God’s larger mission. Forms and Transliterations שׁוֹפָ֛ן שופן shoFan šō·w·p̄ān šōwp̄ānLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 32:35 HEB: וְאֶת־ עַטְרֹ֥ת שׁוֹפָ֛ן וְאֶת־ יַעְזֵ֖ר NAS: and Atroth-shophan and Jazer KJV: And Atroth, Shophan, and Jaazer, INT: and Atroth-shophan and Jazer and Jogbehah 1 Occurrence |