Beth-Shean; Beth-Shan
LocationsGeographical Setting
An ancient Canaanite and Israelite city situated in the Jordan Valley at the confluence of the Jezreel Valley and the Jordan River.
What is the meaning of Beth-Shean; Beth-Shan in the Bible?
A strategic city located in the territory of Issachar but assigned to the tribe of Manasseh, where the bodies of King Saul and his sons were displayed on the city wall following their defeat at Mount Gilboa.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Beth-shean clarifies the geopolitical tensions between the northern tribes and the Philistines, as its control over the vital trade route influenced the military outcomes described in the books of Samuel.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Beth-Shean; Beth-Shan in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Beth-Shean; Beth-Shan clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.