Lexical Definition
בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ Bêyth Shemesh (bayth sheh'-mesh) Beth-shemesh N:N--L
from בַּיִת and שֶׁמֶשׁ; house of (the) sun
Beth-shemesh.
- § Beth-shemesh = "house of the sun" or "sun-temple"
- Beth-Shemesh, a place in Palestine
1) a town in southwest Judah
2) a town in Naphtali
3) a town in Issachar
4) a town in Egypt
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| שֶׁ֔מֶשׁ | Shemesh | Josh.19.22 |
| וּבֵ֣ית | and Beth | Josh.19.22 |
Extended Information
- a town in Issachar
Brown-Driver-Briggs
בֵּית שֶׁ֫מֶשׁ proper name, of a location (sun-temple) — ׳שׁ ׳בּ Josh 19:22 + 8 t., ׳שֿׁ׳בּ Josh 15:10 + 6 t.; שָׁ֑מֶשׁ ׳בּ Josh 19:38 + 4 t.; —
1. city in southwest Judah Josh 15:10; 1Sam 6:9; 1Sam 6:12 (twice in verse); 1Sam 6:13; 1Sam 6:15; 1Sam 6:19; 1Sam 6:20; 1Kgs 4:9; 2Kgs 14:13 = 2Chr 25:23; 2Chr 28:18 distinguished from other places of same name as אֲשֶׁר לִיהוּדָה ׳שׁ ׳בּ 2Kgs 14:11 = 2Chr 25:21 assigned to Levites Josh 21:16 = 1Chr 6:44* — ruin at modern `Ain Shems RobBR ii. 223 f. BdPal 163 Surveyiii. 35, 60.
2. city in Naphtali Josh 19:38; Judg 1:33 (twice in verse)
3. city in Issachar Josh 19:22 possibly `Ain esh-Shemsîyeh, Jordan valley, south of Beisân (Beth Shean) Surveyii. 231.
4. = On-Heliopolis, in Egypt Jer 43:13 RobBR i. 25 EbGS 505 f. DlPa 318 f.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Joshua | 15:10 · 19:22 · 19:38 · 21:16 |
| Judges | 1:33 |
| 1 Samuel | 6:9 · 6:12 · 6:13 · 6:15 · 6:19 · 6:20 |
| 1 Kings | 4:9 |
| 2 Kings | 14:11 · 14:13 |
| 1 Chronicles | 6:44* |
| 2 Chronicles | 25:21 · 25:23 · 28:18 |
| Jeremiah | 43:13 |
Profile
Beth-shemesh_2 • Border town of Issachar.
Beth-shemesh was a border town in the territory of Issachar. (Joshua 19:22)
- A location only mentioned at Jos.19.22;
- only referred to as Beth-shemesh בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ.
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.
All entries for Beth-shemesh: בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ