Beth-Shemesh
LocationsGeographical Setting
Beth-Shemesh is an ancient Canaanite and Israelite city located in the Shephelah region of Judah, identified with the archaeological site of Tell er-Rumeilah.
What is the meaning of Beth-Shemesh in the Bible?
Beth-Shemesh denotes several distinct settlements in the Hebrew Bible, most notably a city in the territory of Judah, as well as locations in the tribes of Issachar and Naphtali, with a possible reference in Egypt; the precise identification of the non-Judahite sites remains uncertain, though the primary site is widely accepted as Tell er-Rumeilah.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the geography of Beth-Shemesh clarifies the territorial boundaries of Judah and its interactions with neighboring Philistine territories, particularly regarding the narrative of the Ark of the Covenant and the strategic importance of the Shephelah region in ancient Israelite history.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Beth-Shemesh in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Beth-Shemesh clarify?
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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.