Zarthan
LocationsGeographical Setting
Zarthan is a textual variant found in 1 Kings 7:46 that is widely recognized by scholars as a scribal error for the location Zarethan.
What is the meaning of Zarthan in the Bible?
Zarthan is a textual variant found in 1 Kings 7:46, referring to a location where bronze vessels were cast for Solomon's temple. Modern textual criticism identifies this as a scribal corruption of Zarethan, a site confirmed by archaeological evidence and parallel passages in 1 Chronicles 4:14 and 2 Chronicles 4:17.
SIGNIFICANCE
Correcting Zarthan to Zarethan aligns the narrative with historical geography, confirming that the bronze work was produced near the Jordan River rather than in an unknown location. This correction allows readers to accurately trace the logistical movements of materials during the construction of the First Temple and appreciate the reliability of the biblical text when supported by comparative manuscript evidence.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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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.