Jatal
LocationsGeographical Setting
Jatal is a place name appearing in the list of returning exiles in 1 Esdras 5:28, widely regarded by textual critics as a scribal corruption of the name Atar.
What is the meaning of Jatal in the Bible?
Jatal is a location listed in 1 Esdras 5:28 among the Judean exiles returning from Babylon, where textual evidence suggests it is a variant or error for the place name Atar.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing Jatal as a textual variant for Atar aids in reconciling discrepancies between the books of Ezra and 1 Esdras, clarifying the specific geographic origins of the returning community.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Jatal held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Jatal in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Jatal clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Jatal." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/jatal/