Lexical Summary Beth Hammarkaboth or Beth Markaboth: House of Chariots Original Word: בֵּית המּרְכָּבוֹת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Beth-marcaboth Or (shortened) Beyth Mar-kabowth {bayth mar-kaw-both'}; from bayith and the plural of merkabah (with or without the article interposed); place of (the) chariots; Beth-ham-Markaboth or Beth-Markaboth, a place in Palestine -- Beth-marcaboth. see HEBREW bayith see HEBREW merkabah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom bayith and merkabah Definition "place of chariots," a place in Simeon NASB Translation Beth-marcaboth (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs בֵּית מַרְכָּבוֺת proper name, of a location in Simeon (place of chariots) 1 Chronicles 4:31 = הַֿמַּרְכָּבֹת׳בּ Joshua 19:5; site unknown. Topical Lexicon Name and Meaning Beth-marcaboth, literally “house of chariots,” evokes an image of a settlement devoted to the housing, manufacture, or staging of chariots, Israel’s most advanced military technology in the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages. The name hints at strategic value within the arid southern frontier of the Promised Land. Biblical References • Joshua 19:5 places Beth-marcaboth among thirteen towns allotted to the tribe of Simeon, whose inheritance lay “within the portion of the descendants of Judah.” “Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susim, Beth-biri, and Shaaraim. These were their cities until the reign of David.” (1 Chronicles 4:31) Geographical Setting Situated in the Negev, south of Beersheba, the town likely lay along an east-west trade and military corridor connecting Egypt with the interior highlands. Sparse rainfall and open terrain favored chariot deployment, while proximity to caravan routes provided commerce. Although its exact site is debated, scholars commonly associate it with a ruin in the vicinity of present-day Tell el-Mashash or Khirbet el-’Azz. Historical Context 1. Conquest and Settlement: During Joshua’s allocation of Canaan, Simeon’s towns were nested within Judah’s territory, demonstrating inter-tribal cooperation and the sufficiency of the land promised to both tribes. Ministry and Theological Significance • Covenant Fulfillment: Beth-marcaboth testifies that God distributed land to every tribe, even those like Simeon whose territory overlapped another’s (Joshua 19:9). No promise was neglected. Archaeological Correlations No definitive excavation has identified Beth-marcaboth, yet chariot-related artifacts—such as linch-pins, horse bits, and stable complexes—have surfaced at nearby sites dated to the period of the Judges and early monarchy. These finds corroborate the plausibility of a chariot center in the region and align with the biblical name. Lessons for Today 1. Strategic Stewardship: Like Beth-marcaboth, congregations occupy strategic “locations” in society. Believers are called to maintain and deploy God-given resources—spiritual gifts, finances, influence—for kingdom advance. Summary Although mentioned only twice, Beth-marcaboth reveals a settlement of military and logistical importance that fulfilled tribal inheritance, supported Israel’s defenses, and bears enduring spiritual lessons on God’s provision, strategic service, and faithful stewardship in every generation. Forms and Transliterations הַמַּרְכָּב֖וֹת המרכבות מַרְכָּבוֹת֙ מרכבות ham·mar·kā·ḇō·wṯ hammarkāḇōwṯ hammarkaVot mar·kā·ḇō·wṯ markāḇōwṯ markaVotLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 19:5 HEB: וְצִֽקְלַ֥ג וּבֵית־ הַמַּרְכָּב֖וֹת וַחֲצַ֥ר סוּסָֽה׃ NAS: and Ziklag and Beth-marcaboth and Hazar-susah, KJV: And Ziklag, and Bethmarcaboth, and Hazarsusah, INT: and Ziklag and Beth-marcaboth and Hazar-susah 1 Chronicles 4:31 2 Occurrences |