Beth-she'mesh, meaning "House of the Sun," is a significant biblical location mentioned multiple times in the Old Testament. It is associated with several historical and religious events, primarily within the context of the tribes of Israel and their interactions with neighboring peoples.

1. Geographical Location: Beth-she'mesh is identified as a Levitical city within the territory of the tribe of Judah. It is situated near the border with the tribe of Dan, approximately 15 miles west of Jerusalem. The site is often associated with the modern-day location of Tell er-Rumeileh.

2. Historical Significance: Beth-she'mesh holds a prominent place in biblical history, particularly in the narrative of the Ark of the Covenant. In 1 Samuel 6, the Philistines, after suffering plagues for capturing the Ark, decide to return it to Israel. The Ark is sent on a cart drawn by two cows and arrives at Beth-she'mesh, where the people rejoice at its return. However, due to their irreverence in looking into the Ark, the Lord strikes down many of the inhabitants: "But God struck down some of the men of Beth-shemesh because they had looked into the ark of the LORD. He struck down seventy men, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck them with a great slaughter" (1 Samuel 6:19).

3. Religious Context: As a Levitical city, Beth-she'mesh was designated for the priests and Levites, who were responsible for religious duties and the maintenance of worship practices. This underscores its religious importance and the expectation of reverence towards sacred objects like the Ark.

4. Military and Political Events: Beth-she'mesh also appears in the context of military campaigns. In 2 Kings 14:11-13, King Amaziah of Judah challenges King Jehoash of Israel, leading to a battle at Beth-she'mesh. The Judahites are defeated, and Jehoash captures Amaziah, subsequently breaking down the wall of Jerusalem.

5. Prophetic References: The city is mentioned in the prophetic literature as well. In Jeremiah 43:13, a prophecy against Egypt includes a reference to Beth-she'mesh, indicating its broader regional significance: "He will demolish the sacred pillars of the temple of the sun in the land of Egypt, and he will burn down the temples of the gods of Egypt" (Jeremiah 43:13). This suggests a symbolic connection between Beth-she'mesh and solar worship, possibly reflecting its name.

6. Archaeological Insights: Archaeological excavations at the site believed to be Beth-she'mesh have uncovered evidence of its ancient occupation, including fortifications, pottery, and other artifacts that align with its biblical descriptions. These findings provide a tangible link to the historical narratives found in Scripture.

Beth-she'mesh serves as a reminder of the importance of reverence and obedience to God's commands, as well as the consequences of failing to honor the sacred. Its role in biblical history highlights the intersection of faith, culture, and politics in ancient Israel.Beth-she'mesh (20 Occurrences)

Joshua 15:10
And the border turned about from Baalah westward unto mount Seir, and passed along unto the side of mount Jearim on the north--the same is Chesalon--and went down to Beth-shemesh, and passed along by Timnah.
(See RSV)

Joshua 19:22
and the border reached to Tabor, and Shahazim, and Beth-shemesh; and the goings out of their border were at the Jordan; sixteen cities with their villages.
(See RSV)

Joshua 19:38
and Iron, and Migdal-el, and Horem, and Beth-anath, and Beth-shemesh; nineteen cities with their villages.
(See RSV)

Joshua 21:16
and Ain with the open land about it, and Juttah with the open land about it, and Beth-shemesh with the open land about it; nine cities out of those two tribes.
(See RSV)

Judges 1:33
Naph'tali did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth-she'mesh, or the inhabitants of Beth-anath, but dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land; nevertheless the inhabitants of Beth-she'mesh and of Beth-anath became subject to forced labor for them.
(DBY RSV)

1 Samuel 6:9
And see, if it goeth up by the way of its own border to Beth-shemesh, then He hath done us this great evil; but if not, then we shall know that it is not His hand that smote us; it was a chance that happened to us.'
(See RSV)

1 Samuel 6:12
And the kine took the straight way by the way to Beth-shemesh; they went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them unto the border of Beth-shemesh.
(See RSV)

1 Samuel 6:13
And they of Beth-shemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley; and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it.
(See RSV)

1 Samuel 6:14
And the cart came into the field of Joshua the Beth-shemite, and stood there, where there was a great stone; and they cleaved the wood of the cart, and offered up the kine for a burnt-offering unto the LORD.
(See RSV)

1 Samuel 6:15
And the Levites took down the ark of the LORD, and the coffer that was with it, wherein the jewels of gold were, and put them on the great stone; and the men of Beth-shemesh offered burnt-offerings and sacrificed sacrifices the same day unto the LORD.
(See RSV)

1 Samuel 6:18
and the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fortified cities and of country villages, even unto Abel by the great stone, whereon they set down the ark of the LORD, which stone remaineth unto this day in the field of Joshua the Beth-shemite.
(See RSV)

1 Samuel 6:19
And He smote of the men of Beth-shemesh, because they had gazed upon the ark of the LORD, even He smote of the people seventy men, and fifty thousand men; and the people mourned, because the LORD had smitten the people with a great slaughter.
(See RSV)

1 Samuel 6:20
And the men of Beth-shemesh said: 'Who is able to stand before the LORD, this holy God? and to whom shall it go up from us?'
(See RSV)

1 Kings 4:9
the son of Deker, in Makaz, and in Shaalbim, and Beth-shemesh, and Elon-beth-hanan;
(See RSV)

2 Kings 14:11
But Amaziah would not hear. So Jehoash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in the face at Beth-shemesh, which belongeth to Judah.
(See RSV)

2 Kings 14:13
And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Beth-shemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
(See RSV)

1 Chronicles 6:59
and Ashan with the open land about it, and Beth-shemesh with the open land about it;
(See RSV)

2 Chronicles 25:21
So Joash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in the face at Beth-shemesh, which belongeth to Judah.
(See RSV)

2 Chronicles 25:23
And Joash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, at Beth-shemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
(See RSV)

2 Chronicles 28:18
The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the Lowland, and of the South of Judah, and had taken Beth-shemesh, and Aijalon, and Gederoth, and Soco with the towns thereof, and Timnah with the towns thereof, Gimzo also and the towns thereof; and they dwelt there.
(See RSV)

Beth-she'mesh (20 Occurrences)
Beth-she'mesh. Beth-shemesh, Beth-she'mesh. Beth-shemeshite . Multi-Version
Concordance Beth-she'mesh (20 Occurrences). Joshua 15 ...
/b/beth-she'mesh.htm - 12k

Beth-shemesh (19 Occurrences)
Beth-shemesh. Bethshemesh, Beth-shemesh. Beth-she'mesh . Easton's Bible
Dictionary House of the sun. (1.) A sacerdotal city in ...
/b/beth-shemesh.htm - 20k

Naph'tali (47 Occurrences)
... Judges 1:33 Naph'tali did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth-she'mesh, or the
inhabitants of Beth-anath, but dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of ...
/n/naph'tali.htm - 18k

Beth-shemeshite (2 Occurrences)
Beth-shemeshite. Beth-she'mesh, Beth-shemeshite. Beth-shemeshites . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (DBY YLT). Beth-she'mesh, Beth-shemeshite. Beth-shemeshites ...
/b/beth-shemeshite.htm - 7k

Bethshemesh (19 Occurrences)
...beth-she'-mesh, beth'-shemesh (beth-shemesh; Baithsamus, "house of the sun"): This
name for a place doubtless arose in every instance from the presence of a ...
/b/bethshemesh.htm - 19k

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