Perhaps another name for Khetam, or “fortress,” on the Shur or great wall of Egypt, which extended from the Mediterranean to the Gulf of Suez. Here the Israelites made their third encampment (Ex. 13:20; Num. 33:6). The camp was probably a little to the west of the modern town of Ismailia. Here the Israelites were commanded to change their route (Ex. 14:2), and “turn” towards the south, and encamp before Pi-hahiroth.
Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Etham
Name meaningtheir strength; their sign
Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897), public domain. Text via Theographic Bible Metadata, CC BY-SA 4.0.