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Beth-Shemesh

also known as: Beth Shamesh, Bethshamesh , Bethsames, Beit Shemesh

Hebrew: בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ —transliteration: Beth Shemesh —meaning: house of the sun or sun temple —occurrences: 21

This was the name of 4 biblical places.

  1. Beth-Shemesh, a priestly city in the tribe of Dan

    This city is mentioned by Samuel and Joshua.

    and Ain with its pasture lands, and Juttah with its pasture lands, and Beth-shemesh with its pasture lands; nine cities from these two tribes. —Joshua 21:16

    And the Levites took down the ark of Yahweh and the box that was with it, in which were the articles of gold, and put them on the large stone; and the men of Beth-shemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices that day to Yahweh. —1 Samuel 6:15 LSB

    It was located on the north border of Judah (Joshua 15:10) and is approximately 19 miles (30 km) west of modern Jerusalem.

    It was the scene of an encounter between Jehoash, king of Israel, and Amaziah, king of Judah, in which the latter was made prisoner (2 Kings 14:11,13).

    The ruins of the ancient biblical city are located at a site called Tel Beit Shemesh (Tell er-Rumeileh), a tell located near the modern city.

    It was afterwards taken by the Philistines (2 Chronicles 28:18).

    In later times, it was a ruined Arabic village called 'Ain-shems.

    The modern city in Israel is called Bet Shemesh (aka Beit Shemesh) and was founded in 1950. —satellite view

  2. Beth-Shemesh, a city between Dothan and the Jordan

    This is near the southern border of Issachar (Joshua 19:22), 7½ miles south of Beth-shean

    It is the modern Ain-esh-Shemsiyeh.

  3. Beth-Shemesh, a fenced city of Naphtali

    Joshua 19:38

    It is located between Mount Tabor and the Jordan River.

    It is identified as the modern Khurbet Shema, 3 miles west of Safed. But it is perhaps the same as number 2 (above).

  4. Beth-Shemesh, an idol sanctuary in Egypt

    Jeremiah 43:13

    The Greeks called it Heliopolis, and Egyptians On, Genesis 41:45, also known as Ôn, Iunu On, Āwen, Ὂν.

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Article Version: June 28, 2024