What is…
Beth-zur
Meaning: house of rock
also known as: Bethzur, Beth Zur, Bethsura, Bethsoura, Beit Tzur, and Khirbet et Tubeiqa
This is a town in the hill country of Judah (Joshua 15:58), about 4 miles to the north of Hebron.
The Bible mentions this place several times. It was built by King Rehoboam for the defense of his kingdom (2 Chronicles 11:7). It was near Halhul and Gedor.
Its ruins are believed to be at Khirbet et-Tubeiqa.
see: Avraham Negev and Shimon Gibson, “Bethsura,” Archaeological Encyclopedia of the Holy Land (New York and London: Continuum, 2001), pp. 89–90)
Area where ancient Bethzur was apparently located, north of Hebron (satellite view) / see: Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World
Modern city of Hebron, in the West Bank—satellite view
More information
- What is the Tribe of Judah?
- Who is Rehoboam?
- What are the CITIES of the Bible? Names, descriptions, locations and types
- PLACES of the Bible
Article Version: July 28, 2021