1033. Beth Kar

Lexical Summary

Beth Kar: House of the Lamb or House of the Pasture

Original Word: בֵּית כַּר
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Beyth Kar
Pronunciation: bayth kahr
Phonetic Spelling: (bayth kar)
KJV: Beth-car
NASB: Beth-car
Word Origin: [from H1004 (בַּיִת - house) and H3733 (כַּר - Ram)]

1. house of pasture
2. Beth-Car, a place in Israel

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Beth-car

From bayith and kar; house of pasture; Beth-Car, a place in Palestine -- Beth-car.

see HEBREW bayith

see HEBREW kar

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from bayith and kar
Definition
"place of a lamb," a place in Pal.
NASB Translation
Beth-car (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

בֵּית כָּ֑ר proper name, of a location (place of a lamb) apparently belonging to Philistines 1 Samuel 7:11.

Topical Lexicon

Geographical Setting

Beth Kar appears once in Scripture, in the account of Israel’s victory over the Philistines recorded in 1 Samuel 7:11. The narrative places it on the western descent from the highlands around Mizpah toward the Philistine plain. Although the precise site has not been confirmed archaeologically, the context suggests an elevated location marking the limit of Israel’s counter-attack. Its position along a natural route from Mizpah to the coast would have made it a strategic vantage point and an ideal rallying marker for pursuing troops.

Biblical Narrative

After two decades of Philistine oppression, Samuel summoned Israel to Mizpah for national repentance. When the enemy advanced, the prophet interceded and the LORD sent a thunderstorm that threw the Philistines into confusion. “The men of Israel went out from Mizpah, pursued the Philistines, and struck them down all the way to a place below Beth-car” (1 Samuel 7:11). The pursuit to Beth Kar sealed the victory and led to a prolonged season of peace (1 Samuel 7:13–14).

Historical Significance

1. Turning Point in the Judges–Monarchy Transition
• The triumph at Beth Kar ended a cycle of Philistine dominance that had begun in the days of Samson and Eli.
• It established Samuel’s prophetic leadership and prepared the ground for the united monarchy under Saul and David.

2. National Consolidation
• The pursuit underscored Israel’s restored unity after corporate repentance.
• By pushing the Philistines as far as Beth Kar, the tribes reclaimed territory previously lost, securing the hill country and key approaches to the coast.

3. Memorial of Divine Intervention
• Immediately following the battle Samuel erected the Ebenezer stone between Mizpah and Shen, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12). The route to Beth Kar became part of that testimony, reminding future generations that victory depended on divine aid rather than military prowess.

Theological Themes

• Divine Deliverance: The sequence—repentance, intercessory sacrifice, heavenly thunder, enemy rout—highlights the pattern of salvation by grace through faith and obedience.
• Spiritual Leadership: Samuel’s role models the necessity of godly leadership that unites worship and warfare.
• Corporate Repentance and Restoration: Israel’s journey from Mizpah to Beth Kar illustrates how national confession precedes national renewal.

Lessons for Contemporary Ministry

1. Repentance Precedes Revival: Spiritual breakthroughs often follow corporate humility and prayer.
2. Prayer-Saturated Warfare: Samuel’s burnt offering during the crisis parallels New Testament exhortations to “pray without ceasing” as believers engage in spiritual battle (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
3. Memorializing God’s Faithfulness: Physical or symbolic reminders—modern “Ebenezers”—strengthen faith for future challenges.

Archaeological and Geographic Notes

Scholars have proposed sites such as Khirbet al-Ker or Tell Kharabeh, but no consensus exists. The limited occurrence in Scripture leaves the door open for future discoveries that could illuminate the route of Israel’s pursuit and confirm the strategic function of Beth Kar.

Related Places and Motifs

• Mizpah: Assembly point for repentance and prayer.
• Ebenezer: Memorial stone of divine help.
• Philistia: Repeated antagonist whose defeats punctuate Israel’s account of covenant discipline and deliverance.

Summary

Beth Kar marks the endpoint of a decisive chase that followed Israel’s renewed dedication to the LORD. Though mentioned only once, it captures a moment when national repentance met divine power, turning the tide of oppression and foreshadowing the stability that would characterize the early monarchy.

Forms and Transliterations

כָּֽר׃ כר׃ Kar kār

Englishman's Concordance

1 Samuel 7:11
HEB: מִתַּ֖חַת לְבֵ֥ית כָּֽר׃
NAS: as far as below Beth-car.
KJV: and smote them, until [they came] under Bethcar.
INT: far Thahash Beth-car

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 1033
1 Occurrence

kār — 1 Occ.