Overview:
Shean, also known as Beth-Shean or Beth-Shan, is an ancient city mentioned in the Bible, located in the northern part of Israel. It holds significant historical and biblical importance, particularly in the context of Israel's conquest of Canaan and the subsequent periods of Israelite and Philistine control.

Biblical References:
Shean is first mentioned in the context of the Israelite conquest of Canaan. In Joshua 17:11, it is listed among the towns within the territory allotted to the tribe of Manasseh: "Within Issachar and Asher, Manasseh also had Beth-shean and its villages, Ibleam and its villages, the inhabitants of Dor and its villages, the inhabitants of En-dor and its villages, the inhabitants of Taanach and its villages, the inhabitants of Megiddo and its villages, the three hilly regions."

Despite being within the territory of Manasseh, the Israelites struggled to fully control Shean. Judges 1:27 notes, "But Manasseh did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shean or Taanach or Dor or Ibleam or Megiddo and their surrounding settlements, for the Canaanites were determined to dwell in that land."

Shean's strategic location made it a site of conflict between the Israelites and the Philistines. The city is notably mentioned in the account of King Saul's death. After Saul and his sons were killed in battle on Mount Gilboa, the Philistines desecrated their bodies. 1 Samuel 31:10-12 records, "They put his armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths and fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan. When the people of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, all their valiant men set out, journeyed all night, and retrieved the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan. They went to Jabesh and burned them there."

Historical and Archaeological Significance:
Shean's location at the junction of the Jezreel Valley and the Jordan Valley made it a key city in ancient times, serving as a crossroads for trade and military routes. Archaeological excavations have revealed layers of occupation, indicating its long history of settlement and cultural influence.

The city's prominence continued through various periods, including Egyptian, Canaanite, Israelite, and Roman rule. The extensive ruins at the site, particularly from the Roman and Byzantine periods, include a well-preserved theater, bathhouses, and colonnaded streets, reflecting its historical significance beyond the biblical narrative.

Theological Implications:
Shean's history illustrates the challenges faced by the Israelites in fully possessing the Promised Land, as commanded by God. The city's repeated mention in the context of incomplete conquest serves as a reminder of the Israelites' struggles with obedience and faithfulness to God's commands. The desecration of Saul's body at Shean underscores the consequences of disobedience and the tragic end of Israel's first king, highlighting the need for godly leadership.

Modern Relevance:
Today, the site of ancient Shean is known as Beit She'an, a national park in Israel. It attracts visitors interested in biblical history and archaeology, offering insights into the ancient world and the biblical narrative. The city's ruins stand as a testament to the rich history of the region and the enduring legacy of the biblical account.1052. Beth Shean -- "place of quiet," a place in Manasseh, West of ...
Beth Shean. 1051, 1052. Beth Shean. 1053 . "place of quiet," a place
in Manasseh, West of the Jordan. Transliteration: Beth Shean ...
/hebrew/1052.htm - 6k

Scythopolis. Beth-Shean, the Beginning of Galilee.
... A Chorographical Century. Chapters 51-60 Chapter 60 Scythopolis. Beth-shean,
the beginning of Galilee. The bonds of Galilee were ...
/.../from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 60 scythopolis beth-shean the.htm

From the Talmud and Hebraica
... Chapter 58 Antipatris. Caphar Salama. Chapter 59 Galilee. Chapter 60 Scythopolis.
Beth-shean, the beginning of Galilee. A Chorographical Century. Chapters 61-70 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/

Adam and Zaretan, Joshua 3
... It is called Zarthanah, 1 Kings 4:12, and is defined to be near Beth-shean, which
was the furthest bounds of the land of Manasseh northward. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 92 adam and zaretan.htm

A Group of Miracles among a Semi-Heathen Population
... southern. Scythopolis, the ancient Beth-Shean, with its district, was the
only one of them on the western bank of the Jordan. This ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxxiv a group of.htm

Jews and Gentiles in "The Land"
... Scythopolis, the ancient Beth-shean (Joshua 17:11, 16; Judges 1:27; 1 Samuel
31:10, 12, etc.), was the only one of those cities situated west of the Jordan. ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 2 jews and gentiles.htm

Shean (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Shean (5 Occurrences). Joshua 17:11 Manasseh
had three heights in Issachar, in Asher Beth Shean and its ...
/s/shean.htm - 8k

Beth-shean (5 Occurrences)
Beth-shean. Bethshean, Beth-shean. Beth-she'an . Easton's Bible Dictionary ... It
is now called Beisan. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BETH-SHEAN; BETH-SHAN. ...
/b/beth-shean.htm - 11k

Abel-meholah (3 Occurrences)
... Meadow of dancing, or the dancing-meadow, the birth-place and residence of the prophet
Elisha, not far from Beth-shean (1 Kings 4:12), in the tribe of Issachar ...
/a/abel-meholah.htm - 10k

Beth-she'an (5 Occurrences)
Beth-she'an. Beth-shean, Beth-she'an. Bethshemesh . Multi-Version Concordance
Beth-she'an (5 Occurrences). Joshua 17:11 And Manasseh ...
/b/beth-she'an.htm - 8k

Shan (8 Occurrences)
... Joshua 17:11 Manasseh had three heights in Issachar, in Asher Beth Shean and its
towns, and Ibleam and its towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, and ...
/s/shan.htm - 9k

Abelmeholah (3 Occurrences)
... Meadow of dancing, or the dancing-meadow, the birth-place and residence of the prophet
Elisha, not far from Beth-shean (1 Kings 4:12), in the tribe of Issachar ...
/a/abelmeholah.htm - 9k

Taanach (7 Occurrences)
... Joshua 17:11 Manasseh had three heights in Issachar, in Asher Beth Shean and its
towns, and Ibleam and its towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, and ...
/t/taanach.htm - 12k

Ta'anach (6 Occurrences)
... Joshua 17:11 Manasseh had three heights in Issachar, in Asher Beth Shean and its
towns, and Ibleam and its towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, and ...
/t/ta'anach.htm - 8k

Megid'do (12 Occurrences)
... Joshua 17:11 And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Beth-shean and its towns,
and Ibleam and its towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, and the ...
/m/megid'do.htm - 10k

Megiddo (13 Occurrences)
... Joshua 17:11 Manasseh had three heights in Issachar, in Asher Beth Shean and its
towns, and Ibleam and its towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, and ...
/m/megiddo.htm - 16k

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