ETHAM ē’ thəm (אֵתָ֔ם, meaning possibly, fort). The first encampment of the Israelites after leaving Succoth (Exod 13:20). Its precise location is unknown, but it was on the edge of the wilderness of Shur (15:22), a portion of which was known as the wilderness of Etham (Num 33:6-8). Probably it was N of Lake Timsah and formed part of the Egyp. fortifications guarding their eastern frontier (cf. the reference to Migdol, “watch-tower,” Num 33:7). The strength of these defenses caused the Israelites to detour S, which led Pharaoh to imagine that they were trapped between the wilderness and the sea (Exod 14:1-3).