Anathoth

Anathoth, a Levitical city in Benjamin, notable as the birthplace of Jeremiah.

Anathoth was a city in the territory of Benjamin, located approximately 3 miles (5 km) northeast of Jerusalem. It was assigned to the Levites, specifically the descendants of Aaron, as one of their cities (Joshua 21:18; 1Ch.6.60).

The city is most notably associated with the prophet Jeremiah, who was born in Anathoth (Jeremiah 1:1). Jeremiah faced opposition from the people of his hometown, who plotted against his life because of his prophecies (Jeremiah 11:21-23). The prophet also received a divine command to purchase a field in Anathoth, which served as a sign of the future restoration of Judah (Jeremiah 32:7-9).

Several prominent figures in the Bible were associated with Anathoth, including Abiathar, a priest during the reign of King Solomon, who was exiled to Anathoth after supporting Adonijah's claim to the throne (1Ki.2.26). Two of David's mighty men, Abiezer and Jehu, were also from Anathoth (2Sa.23.27; 1Ch.11.28; 12:3; 27:12).

Anathoth was among the towns resettled by the Benjamites after the Babylonian exile (Ezra 2:23; Nehemiah 7:27; 11:32). The city is also mentioned in a prophetic context, as Isaiah declares judgment upon it (Isaiah 10:30), and Jeremiah confronts a false prophet from Anathoth named Pashhur (Jeremiah 29:27).

The biblical references to Anathoth highlight its significance as a Levitical city, its connection to the life and ministry of Jeremiah, and its role in the history of Israel, particularly during the divided monarchy and the post-exilic period.

The name of one of the cities of refuge, in the tribe of Benjamin (Josh. 21:18). The Jews, as a rule, did not change the names of the towns they found in Palestine; hence this town may be regarded as deriving its name from the goddess Anat. It was the native place of Abiezer, one of David’s “thirty” (2 Sam. 23:27), and of Jehu, another of his mighty men (1 Chr. 12:3). It is chiefly notable, however, as the birth-place and usual residence of Jeremiah (Jer. 1:1; 11:21-23; 29:27; 32:7-9). It suffered greatly from the army of Sennacherib, and only 128 men returned to it from the Exile (Neh. 7:27; Ezra 2:23). It lay about 3 miles north of Jerusalem. It has been identified with the small and poor village of ‘Anata, containing about 100 inhabitants.