Zaretan
LocationsGeographical Setting
Zaretan is an ancient place name recorded in the Hebrew Bible as a landmark near the Jordan River.
What is the meaning of Zaretan in the Bible?
Zarethan is an ancient location mentioned in the biblical account of the Israelites' crossing of the Jordan River (Joshua 3:16), situated near the city of Adam.
SIGNIFICANCE
The site serves as a landmark for scholars attempting to reconstruct the migration routes and topographical boundaries of early Iron Age Levant.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Zaretan (located near modern Near the Jordan River, likely in the region of modern-day Jordan or northern Israel) 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 Zaretan in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Zaretan clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Joshua 3:16
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
"Zaretan." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/zaretan/