El-Bethel
LocationsGeographical Setting
An ancient Canaanite city situated on the northern border of the tribe of Benjamin, known in Hebrew as Bethel.
What is the meaning of El-Bethel in the Bible?
El-Bethel, or Bethel, is an ancient settlement in the central highlands of Canaan, identified in the Book of Genesis as the site where Jacob experienced a vision of a ladder reaching to heaven and erected a stone pillar.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the geographical setting of Bethel clarifies the narrative structure of Genesis, illustrating how patriarchal journeys were anchored to specific physical landmarks that legitimized tribal claims and divine encounters within the historical landscape of the ancient Near East.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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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.