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

Extended Information

• a town in Naphtali

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 Rob^{BR ii. 223 f.} Bd^{Pal 163} Survey^{iii. 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) Survey^{ii. 231.}

4. = On-Heliopolis, in Egypt Jer 43:13 Rob^{BR i. 25} Eb^{GS 505 f.} Dl^{Pa 318 f}.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Profile

Beth-shemesh_3 • Fortified city in Naphtali, not conquered by the tribe.

Beth-shemesh was a fortified city in the territory of Naphtali, from which the Naphtalites did not drive out the Canaanites. (Joshua 19:38; Judges 1:33)

• A location near Beth-anath בֵּית עֲנָת first mentioned at Jos.19.38;
• only referred to as Beth-shemesh בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ.
  

Beth-shemesh, meaning "house of the sun" in Hebrew, was a fortified city located in the territory allotted to the tribe of Naphtali. This Beth-shemesh is distinct from the cities of the same name in Judah and Issachar.

In Joshua 19:38, Beth-shemesh is listed among the fortified cities in Naphtali's inheritance, along with other cities such as Ziddim, Zer, and Hazor. The inclusion of Beth-shemesh in this list suggests that it was a significant city with defensive structures and walls.

Judges 1:33 reveals that the tribe of Naphtali did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath, and the Canaanites persisted in dwelling in the land. However, when Israel grew strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labor but did not drive them out completely.

The exact location of Beth-shemesh in Naphtali is uncertain, but it was likely situated in the northern part of Canaan, in the region known as the Galilee. The Galilee was known for its fertile land, abundant water sources, and strategic importance due to its proximity to major trade routes.

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.

All entries for Beth-shemesh: בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ