אֵיתָן

1. ever-flowing (opposed to אַכְזָב), נַחַל אֵיתָן Amos 5,24 an ever-flowing wady, 5 Mos 21,4 (see Dr); as substantive in נַהֲרוֺת אֵיתָּן Sl 74,15 rivers of steady flow; as substantive also 2 Mos 14,27 (J), the sea returned לְאֵיתָנוֺ to its steady flow, יֶרַת הָאֵיתָנִים 1 Kong 8,2 month of steady flowings = 7th mo., Oct.-;Nov. (post-Biblical Tisri).

2. figurative permanent, enduring גּוֺי אֵיתָן הוּא Jer 5,15, i.e. a nation whose numbers never dwindle or fail, imperishable, ׳וְרִיב עֲצָמָיו א Job 33,19 Kt the strife of his bones is constant, 1 Mos 49,24 his bow abode ׳בְּא as an enduring, firm, one, מוֺשָֽׁבְךָ ׳א 4 Mos 24,21 (|| שִׂים בַּסֶּלַע), נְוֵה אֵיתָן Jer 49,19 = Jer 50,44 an abode of permanency (of Edom, and Babylon, suddenly depopulated by foe, figured as lion); האיתנים מוסדי ארץ Mik 6,2 ye ever-enduring ones, the foundations of the earth (but read probably with We הַאֲזִינוּ), Job 12,19 אֵיתָנִים יְסַלֵּף he subverteth them that are firmly seated (i.e. men established in hereditary offices or dignities). Very uncertain is Ord 13,15 דֶּרֶךְ בִּגְדִים אֵיתָן, perhaps firm, hard, rugged (Ew De Hi Now ^{according to} Str. the text is corrupt).