Lexical Summary Beth Haran: Beth Haran Original Word: בֵּית הָרָן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Beth-haran Probably for Beyth ha-Ram; Beth-ha-Ram, a place East of the Jordan -- Beth-haran. see HEBREW Beyth ha-Ram NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originthe same as Beth, q.v. Topical Lexicon Overview Beth-Haran is named once in Scripture as one of the fortified towns erected by the tribe of Gad after their request to settle east of the Jordan River (Numbers 32:36). The site lay in the fertile lower Jordan Valley, a short distance northeast of the Dead Sea, opposite Jericho. Together with nearby Beth-Nimrah, it secured the approaches from the Jordan crossing into the tableland of Gilead. Biblical Record Numbers 32 recounts how the tribes of Reuben and Gad petitioned Moses for the Trans-Jordan pasturelands. Moses granted the request on condition that the men first cross the Jordan and fight alongside the other tribes. When the military obligations were fulfilled, the Gadites “built Beth-Nimrah and Beth-Haran as fortified cities, and also folds for their flocks” (Numbers 32:36). Its single mention is therefore linked to covenant obedience: the town exists because Gad honored its word to God and to Israel. Geographical Context Situated in the rich alluvial plain watered by the Wadi Nimrin, Beth-Haran benefited from abundant grazing and easy access to the river. Its location protected the northern ford at modern Tell ed-Damiyeh and overlooked routes ascending to Gilead. The abundance of water and pasture explains the dual emphasis in Numbers 32 on fortifications for people and enclosures for livestock. Role in Israel’s Settlement East of the Jordan 1. Strategic defense: Fortifying Beth-Haran helped secure Israel’s eastern flank before the western tribes crossed the Jordan. Theological Significance • Faithfulness to vows: Gad’s building program is recorded immediately after the fulfillment of its military pledge. Beth-Haran thus memorializes integrity in covenant commitments (compare Ecclesiastes 5:4). Archaeological Notes Many scholars identify Beth-Haran with modern Tell Iktanu (south of Tell Nimrin) or with a secondary occupation layer at Tell Nimrin itself. Iron Age fortifications and animal enclosures uncovered there align with the biblical description of a walled town accompanied by stockfolds. Prophetic and Later References Though Beth-Haran disappears from later canonical lists, some post-exilic texts mention “Beth-Ramtha” and “Beth-Haran” interchangeably, suggesting continuity under varied names. In rabbinic literature the site occasionally appears among Gadite villages famed for early spring produce supplied to the Temple. Practical Ministry Lessons 1. Keep covenant promises even when costly; God honors integrity. Summary Beth-Haran, though briefly mentioned, stands as a witness to Gad’s obedience, God’s faithfulness, and the integrated life—spiritual, communal, and economic—intended for the covenant community. Forms and Transliterations הָרָ֑ן הרן hā·rān haRan hārānLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 32:36 HEB: וְאֶת־ בֵּ֣ית הָרָ֑ן עָרֵ֥י מִבְצָ֖ר KJV: And Bethnimrah, and Bethharan, fenced INT: and Beth-nimrah and Bethharan cities fortified |
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