International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

dath'-e-ma (Dathema): A stronghold (1 Maccabees 5:29) in Gilead to which the Jews fled for refuge from the heathen (1 Maccabees 5:9). They were delivered by Judas and Jonathan his brother. It was within a night's march from Bosora. It may possibly be identical with `Athaman which lies East of el-Muzeribe in disputing the authority of Moses and Aaron in the wilderness (Numbers 16-17; Numbers 26 Deuteronomy 11:6 Psalm 106:17). Other followers of Korah perished by fire before the tent of meeting, but Dathan and Abiram were swallowed up by the earth, with their families and their goods, at their tents.