5855. Atroth Shophan
Lexical Summary
Atroth Shophan: Atroth Shophan

Original Word: עַטְרוֹת שׁוֹפָן
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: `Atrowth Showphan
Pronunciation: ah-trohth sho-fahn
Phonetic Spelling: (at-roth' sho-fawn')
KJV: Atroth, Shophan (as if two places)
NASB: Atroth-shophan
Word Origin: [from the same as H5852 (עֲטָרוֹת עֲטָרוֹת - Ataroth) and a name otherwise unused (being from the same as H8226 (שָׂפַן - Rock hyrax)) meaning hidden]

1. crowns of Shophan
2. Atroth-Shophan, a place in Israel

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 Origin
from 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.
2. Moses granted the request on condition of military support for the conquest of Canaan (Numbers 32:20-22).
3. Upon agreement, the Gadites developed several strongholds, including Atroth Shophan, to secure their families and livestock while the warriors crossed the Jordan with the rest of Israel.

Geographical Location

• Situated in the plateau region north of Heshbon and south of Jazer, Atroth Shophan lay within the fertile Mishor of Gilead.
• The site likely commanded trade routes linking the Arnon Gorge with the upper Jabbok region, giving strategic and economic value to the Gadite territory.
• Proposed identifications range from Khirbet el-‘Attarus to Tell eth-Thurabin, though no location is universally accepted. The consistent feature is its placement on elevated ground suited to defense and agriculture.

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.
• Tribal Identity: Naming and strengthening Atroth Shophan asserted Gad’s permanent stake east of the Jordan, shaping inter-tribal boundaries referenced in Joshua 13:24-28.
• Continuity: By the time of the divided monarchy, the region remained recognizably Gadite (1 Chronicles 5:11-22), implying that towns such as Atroth Shophan fulfilled their intended role for generations.

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.
• Stewardship: Establishing secure cities and livestock folds reflects prudent care for God-given resources, paralleling New Testament calls to faithful stewardship (1 Peter 4:10).
• Inheritance and Rest: The town symbolizes the tangible rest the Lord granted His people even before the crossing of the Jordan, foreshadowing the ultimate rest promised in Hebrews 4:8-11.

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.
2. Places like Atroth Shophan remind believers that spiritual commitments have practical outworkings—building, safeguarding, and nurturing are integral to faithful living.
3. The single mention of this town, preserved by the Spirit, invites confidence that even seemingly minor acts of obedience are noted and valued in the unfolding redemptive history.

Forms and Transliterations
שׁוֹפָ֛ן שופן shoFan šō·w·p̄ān šōwp̄ān
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman'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

Strong's Hebrew 5855
1 Occurrence


šō·w·p̄ān — 1 Occ.

5854
Top of Page
Top of Page