Lexical Summary Beth Lebaoth: Beth Lebaoth Original Word: בֵּית לְבָאוֹת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Beth-lebaoth From bayith and the plural of labiy'; house of lionesses; Beth-Lebaoth, a place in Palestine -- Beth-lebaoth. Compare Lba'owth. see HEBREW bayith see HEBREW labiy' see HEBREW Lba'owth NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom bayith and labi Definition perhaps "place of lionesses," a place in Simeon NASB Translation Beth-lebaoth (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs בֵּית לְבָאוֺת proper name, of a location in Simeon (place of lionesses ?) Joshua 19:6 = בִּרְאִי ׳בּ (perhaps textual error) 1 Chronicles 4:31; = לְבָאוֺת (in Judah) Joshua 15:32. Topical Lexicon Biblical Reference Joshua 19:6 records Beth Lebaoth among the “thirteen cities, along with their villages” assigned to the tribe of Simeon within the inheritance of Judah. Geographical Setting Placed in the southern Judean Negev, Beth Lebaoth lay in a semi-arid, pastoral zone that bordered the wilderness. Together with nearby Sharuhen, it formed part of a defensive and trading network that linked the central hill country to Egypt’s northeastern approaches. Modern proposals locate the site at Khirbet el-Bîʿa or the plateau of Tell el-Lebaʿât, both of which command ancient caravan routes and seasonal grazing lands. Tribal Allotment and Settlement Though Simeon received towns inside Judah’s larger territory (Joshua 19:1), the allotment was not an afterthought. Divine provision placed Simeon’s herdsmen in a region suited to flocks, fulfilling Jacob’s prophecy that Simeon would be “scattered” (Genesis 49:7) while still ensuring covenant security within Judah’s borders. Beth Lebaoth served as a southern outpost, allowing Simeonites to tend livestock and patrol Judah’s flank against desert raiders. Historical Background 1 Chronicles 4:31 may preserve the same town under the variant name “Beth Biri,” listed among Simeonite holdings “until the reign of David.” The Chronicler’s note suggests continuous occupation from the Conquest through the united monarchy. After Simeon’s gradual assimilation into Judah, Beth Lebaoth’s distinct tribal identity faded, yet its strategic value endured as part of Judah’s Negev line in the divided kingdom era. Archaeological Insight Surveys of proposed sites have uncovered Iron Age fortifications, rock-cut cisterns, and pottery consistent with tenth–eighth-century activity. The remains indicate a mixed economy of herding and dry-farming supported by water-harvesting technology—features that match the biblical portrait of Simeonite pastoral life. Theological and Ministry Significance • Covenant Faithfulness: The inclusion of small settlements like Beth Lebaoth within the land grant demonstrates God’s detailed fulfillment of His promises—no tribe, family, or village was overlooked (Joshua 21:45). • Strategic Stewardship: Stationed on a frontier, the inhabitants modeled vigilant stewardship of territory entrusted by the Lord. Their watchfulness illustrates the call for believers to “stand firm in the faith” (1 Corinthians 16:13). • Strength Under the Lion Motif: The town’s name invokes lion imagery, reminding readers that God equips His people with courage befitting their environment (Proverbs 28:1). Situated amid threats, the settlement bore witness to divine protection. Lessons for Contemporary Believers 1. Faithfully Occupy Your Portion: Like Simeon in the Negev, Christians are to cultivate whatever sphere God assigns, relying on His provision even when conditions appear marginal. Key Passages for Further Study Joshua 19:1–9; 1 Chronicles 4:24–33; Genesis 49:5-7; Proverbs 28:1; 1 Corinthians 16:13 Forms and Transliterations לְבָא֖וֹת לבאות lə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ ləḇā’ōwṯ levaotLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 19:6 HEB: וּבֵ֥ית לְבָא֖וֹת וְשָֽׁרוּחֶ֑ן עָרִ֥ים NAS: and Beth-lebaoth and Sharuhen; KJV: And Bethlebaoth, and Sharuhen; INT: and Beth-lebaoth and Sharuhen cities 1 Occurrence |
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