Atharim
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible [1]
Atharim ( Numbers 21:1 ). Either a proper name of a place from which the route was named; so RV [Note: Revised Version.] ‘the way of Atharim,’ as LXX [Note: Septuagint.] , or, ‘the way of tracks,’ i.e. a regular caravan road. (The rendering of AV [Note: Authorized Version.] , ‘way of the spies,’ follows Targ. and Syr.) The ‘way of Atharim’ will then be that described in Numbers 13:21-25 .
Holman Bible Dictionary [2]
Numbers 1:1-3
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [3]
(Hebrews Atharinm', אֲתָרַים , Regions; Sept. Ἀθαρείμ ), a place in the south of Palestine near which the Israelites passed on their way thither ( Numbers 21:1, where the English version improperly renders דֶּרֶךְ הָאֲתָרַים , " The Way Of The Spies;" see Gesenius, Thes. Heb. p. 171). It was, perhaps, a general designation of the region north of Mount Seir through which the Canaanites presumed that the Israelites were about to pass, as indeed they would have done but for the Edomites' refusal of a passage to them. (See Exoic).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [4]
(אתרים , 'ăthārı̄m ): the Revised Version (British and American) "The way of Atharim"; the King James Version "The way of the spies." the Revised Version (British and American) regards Atharim as a place (so Septuagint). the King James Version follows Syriac and Targum, rendering Atharim as if Tarim = spies. Dillmann translates "the caravan path," connecting it with Arabic athar , "a track or footprint." Here the king of Arad fought against Israel, taking some captives ( Numbers 21:1 ). See Hormah .
