אֵיתָן

adj. perennial, ever-flowing, fig. permanent, as subst. steady flow, permanence;—abs. אֵיתָן Gn 49:24 + 8 times; אֵתָן Jb 33:19; sf. אֵיתָנוֹ Ex 14:27; pl. אֵיתָנִים Jb 12:19; אֵתָנִים 1 K 8:2 Mi 6:2; (in form, an ‘elative,’ Ew§ 162 b = Arabic compar. and superl.;— 3 (opp. אַכְזָב), נַחַל אֵיתָן Am 5:24 an 3 wādy, Dt 21:4 (v. Dr); as subst. in נַהֲרוֹת אֵיתָן ψ 74:15 rivers of steady flow; as subst. also Ex 14:27 (J), the sea returned לְאֵיתָנוֹ to its steady flow, יֶרַח הָאֵיתָנִים 1 K 8:2 month of steady flowings = 7th mo., Oct.–Nov. (post-Bibl Tisri). fig. permanent, enduring גּוֹי אֵיתָן הוּא Je 5;15, i. e. a nation whose numbers never dwindle or fail, imperishable, וְרִיב עֲצָמָיו א׳ Jb 33:19 Kt the strife of his bones is constant, Gn 49:24 his bow abode בְּא׳ as an enduring, firm, one, א׳ מוֹשָֽׁבְךָ Nu 24:21 (‖ שִׂים בַּסֶּלַע), נְוֵה אֵיתָן Je 49:19 = 50:44 an abode of permanency (of Edom, and Babylon, suddenly depopulated by foe, figured as lion); האיתנים מוסדי ארץ Mi 6:2 ye ever-enduring ones, the foundations of the earth (but read prob. with We הַאֲזִינוּ), Jb 12:19 אֵיתָנִים יְסַלֵּף he subverteth them that are firmly seated (i.e. men established in hereditary offices or dignities). Very uncertain is Pr 13:15 דֶּרֶךְ בֹּגְדִים אֵיתָן, perhaps firm, hard, rugged (Ew De Hi Now: according to Str. the text is corrupt).