1024. Beth Hammarkaboth or Beth Markaboth

Lexical Summary

Beth Hammarkaboth or Beth Markaboth: House of Chariots

Original Word: בֵּית המּרְכָּבוֹת
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Beyth ham-Marka-bowth
Pronunciation: bayth ham-mar-kaw-both or bayth mar-kaw-both
Phonetic Spelling: (bayth ham-mar-kaw-both')
KJV: Beth-marcaboth
NASB: Beth-marcaboth
Word Origin: [from H1004 (בַּיִת - house) and the plural of H4818 (מֶרכָּבָה - chariot) (with or without the article interposed)]

1. place of (the) chariots
2. Beth-ham-Markaboth or Beth-Markaboth, a place in Israel

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 Origin
from 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.”
• 1 Chronicles 4:31 repeats the town list and notes that these settlements “were their cities until the reign of David.”

“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.
2. United Monarchy: Chronicles notes that Simeon retained control “until the reign of David,” implying administrative reforms or territorial realignment under the king. David’s centralization of military resources may have absorbed a town known for chariotry into royal supply networks.
3. Chariot Warfare: By the tenth century B.C., Israel’s foes—Egyptians, Canaanites, Philistines, and later Arameans—fielded chariots. A settlement specializing in chariots on the southern border would have contributed to defense against desert incursions and to Israel’s own tactical capacity, later reflected in Solomon’s establishment of “chariot cities” (1 Kings 9:19).

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.
• Divine Sufficiency in the Wilderness: A “house of chariots” in the Negev underscores God’s provision of advanced means in a barren place, echoing His pattern of equipping His people where resources seem scarce.
• Temporary Possessions: Chronicles’ note on the tenure of Simeon highlights the transience of earthly holdings. The town’s limited biblical footprint reminds believers to hold temporal blessings loosely while anchoring hope in God’s unchanging promises.

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.
2. Unity with Diversity: Simeon thrived within Judah’s borders, illustrating that distinct callings can coexist without rivalry when the covenant community seeks the common good.
3. Readiness for Spiritual Warfare: Chariots symbolized preparedness. The town’s focus encourages the church to cultivate readiness through discipleship and prayer, “putting on the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11).

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 markaVot

Englishman'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
HEB: וּבְבֵ֤ית מַרְכָּבוֹת֙ וּבַחֲצַ֣ר סוּסִ֔ים
NAS: Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susim, Beth-biri
KJV: And at Bethmarcaboth, and Hazarsusim,
INT: Beth-marcaboth Hazar-susim Beth-biri

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 1024
2 Occurrences

ham·mar·kā·ḇō·wṯ — 1 Occ.
mar·kā·ḇō·wṯ — 1 Occ.