Lexical Definition
בֵּית שְׁאָן Bêyth Shᵉʼân (bayth she-awn') Beth-shean N:N--L
or בֵּית שָׁן Bêyth Shân (bayth shawn'); from בַּיִת and שָׁאַן; house of ease
Beth-shean, Beth-Shan.
- § Beth-shean or Beth-Shan = "house of ease"
- Beth-Shean or Beth-Shan, a place in Palestine
1) a place in Manasseh, west of the Jordan
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| שָׁ֑ן | Shan | 1Sam.31.12 |
| שָֽׁן | Shan | 1Sam.31.10 |
| שַׁ֗ן | Shan | 2Sam.21.12 |
| שְׁאָן֙ | Shean | Josh.17.16 • 1Kgs.4.12 |
| שְׁאָ֤ן | Shan | 1Chr.7.29 |
| שְׁאָ֣ן | Shean | Josh.17.11 • Judg.1.27 |
| שְׁאָ֡ן | Shean | 1Kgs.4.12 |
| מִבֵּ֤ית | from Beth | 1Kgs.4.12 |
| בֵּית | Beth | Josh.17.11 • Judg.1.27 • 1Chr.7.29 |
| בֵּֽית | Beth | 2Sam.21.12 |
| בֵּ֥ית | Beth | 1Sam.31.10 |
| בֵּ֣ית | Beth | 1Sam.31.12 • 1Kgs.4.12 |
| בְּבֵית | in Beth | Josh.17.16 |
| Σαάν | of Shean | LXX.1Kgs.4.12 |
| Βηθσαάν | Beth-shean | LXX.1Kgs.4.12 |
| Βηθσάν | Beth-shean | LXX.Josh.17.11 |
| Βεθσάν | of Beth-shan | LXX.2Sam.21.12 |
| Βαιθσάν | Beth-shean | LXX.Judg.1.27 • LXX.1Chr.7.29 |
| Βαιθσάμ | in Beth-sham | LXX.1Sam.31.12 |
| in Beth-shan | LXX.1Sam.31.10 | |
| Βαιθασάν | Beth-shean | LXX.Josh.17.16 |
Brown-Driver-Briggs
בֵּית שְׁאָן proper name, of a location in Manasseh, west of Jordan (place of quiet) 1Kgs 4:12 (twice in verse); בֵּיתשְֿׁאָן Josh 17:11; Josh 17:16; Judg 1:27; 1Chr 7:29 = בֵּית שָׁ֑ן 1Sam 31:10; 1Sam 31:12 בֵּיתשַֿׁן 2Sam 21:12 — modern Beisân (Scythopolis), Late Hebrew בֵּישָׁן RobBR iii. 329 BdPal 224 Surveyi. 101 f.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Joshua | 17:11 · 17:16 |
| Judges | 1:27 |
| 1 Samuel | 31:10 · 31:12 |
| 2 Samuel | 21:12 |
| 1 Kings | 4:12 |
| 1 Chronicles | 7:29 |
Profile
Beth-shan • City in Manasseh, where Saul's body was displayed.
Beth-shean (Beth-shan) was a city allotted to Manasseh, where the Philistines fastened Saul's body to the wall after his death. (Multiple references, see article for details)
- A location first mentioned at Jos.17.11;
- referred to as Beth-shean בֵּית שְׁאָן, or Beth-shan (NIV= Beth Shan) בֵּית שְׁאָן.
Beth-shean, also known as Beth-shan, was a city located in the territory allotted to the tribe of Manasseh, although it was situated within the borders of Issachar. The city was strategically positioned at the junction of the Jezreel and Jordan Valleys, controlling access to the Jezreel Valley from the east.
In Joshua 17:11 and 16, Beth-shean is listed among the cities and towns within Manasseh's inheritance that were not fully conquered by the Israelites. The Manassites were unable to drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shean and its villages, and the Canaanites persisted in dwelling in the land.
Judges 1:27 reiterates that Manasseh did not drive out the people of Beth-shean and its villages, and the Canaanites continued to live there.
During the reign of King Solomon, Beth-shean was included in the fifth administrative district overseen by Baana, son of Ahilud (1 Kings 4:12). The city's inclusion in this list suggests its ongoing importance and the presence of a significant Israelite population.
The most notable event associated with Beth-shean in the Bible is the aftermath of the battle between the Israelites and the Philistines at Mount Gilboa. In 1 Samuel 31:10-12, after Saul and his sons were killed in battle, the Philistines fastened their bodies to the wall of Beth-shean. When the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard about this, they travelled through the night, took down the bodies, and buried them in Jabesh.
Later, during David's reign, the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan were retrieved from Jabesh-gilead and buried in the tomb of Saul's father, Kish, in Benjamin (2 Samuel 21:12-14).
Beth-shean's strategic location made it a target for conquest throughout history. The city was eventually captured by the Egyptians and later by the Assyrians. It was known as Scythopolis during the Hellenistic and Roman periods, serving as the leading city of the Decapolis, a group of ten Hellenistic cities in the region.
All entries for Beth-shean or Beth-shan: בֵּית שְׁאָן