The BibleGospel Companion

Beth-shemesh

בֵּית שֶׁ֫מֶשׁ · bet she.mesh · H1053H“house of the sun” Hitchcock's 18691 mention, all in Joshua

Where it is

AenonJabeshBezekBezekBeth-sheanBeth-sheanBrook of the WillowsBrook of the WillowsMount GilboaMount GilboaBeth-shemeshabout 38 km across

32.41° N, 35.50° E · ~

Coordinates and map: OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding · CC BY 4.0 · drawn without map tiles

Mentioned most in

Joshua · 1
Counted from 1 references · STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0

About this place

Beth-shemesh, meaning "house of the sun" in Hebrew, is mentioned in Joshua 19:22 as a border town in the territory allotted to the tribe of Issachar. This Beth-shemesh is distinct from the more well-known city of the same name in Judah.

The town is listed along with other cities and towns in Issachar's inheritance, such as Tabor, Shahazimah, and En-gannim. Its inclusion in this list suggests that it was located on the border of Issachar's territory, possibly adjacent to the territories of other tribes.

No other information about this Beth-shemesh is provided in the Bible, and it is not mentioned in any other historical or archaeological context. Its name, "house of the sun," may refer to the presence of a shrine or temple dedicated to the sun god, or it could be related to a local geographical feature.

The exact location of Beth-shemesh in Issachar is uncertain, but it was likely situated in the region of the Jezreel Valley, which was known for its fertile land and strategic importance.

Article: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0

Every mention

1 reference, counted from STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0 · verse text: World English Bible (public domain)

Joshua 1 mention

Joshua 19:22The border reached to Tabor, Shahazumah, and Beth Shemesh. Their border ended at the Jordan: sixteen cities with their villages.

What the dictionary says

House of the sun.

Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
Read the article →

Sources