Anathoth

the name of one of the cities of refuge, in the tribe of Benjamin (Josh 21:18). The Jews, as a rule, did not change the names of the towns they found in Palestine; hence this town may be regarded as deriving its name from the goddess Anat. It was the native place of Abiezer, one of David's "thirty" (2Sam 23:27 ), and of Jehu, another of his mighty men (1Chr 12:3). It is chiefly notable, however, as the birth-place and usual residence of Jeremiah (Jer 1:1 ; 11:21-23; 29:27; 32:7-9). It suffered greatly from the army of Sennacherib, and only 128 men returned to it from the Exile (Neh 7:27 ; Ezra 2:23 ). It lay about 3 miles north of Jerusalem. It has been identified with the small and poor village of 'Anata, containing about 100 inhabitants.

EBD - Easton's Bible Dictionary