Betolion
LocationsGeographical Setting
An ancient settlement in the hill country of Benjamin, identified with the biblical Bethel.
What is the meaning of Betolion in the Bible?
A town where 52 people returned with Zerubbabel, corresponding to Bethel in Ezra 2:28.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying Betolion as Bethel clarifies the specific tribal territory of Benjamin involved in the post-exilic restoration, linking the genealogical records of returnees to their ancestral lands.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Betolion (located near modern Beitin) held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Betolion in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Betolion clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Ezra 2:28
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.
How to Cite This Entry
"Betolion." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/betolion/