Lexical Summary Beth-eqed: House of Binding or House of Shearing Original Word: בֵּית עֵקֶד Strong's Exhaustive Concordance shearing house From bayith and a derivative of aqad; house of (the) binding (for sheep-shearing); Beth-Eked, a place in Palestine -- shearing house. see HEBREW bayith NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom bayith and aqad Definition "house of binding," a place in Pal. NASB Translation Beth-eked (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs בֵּיתעֵֿ֫קֶד הָרֹעִים perhaps proper name, of a location (binding-house of the shepherds) 2 Kings 10:12; compare 2 Kings 10:14 בּוֺר ׳עֿ׳בּ; Bethacath Jerome LagOnom. 107. 17. 2nd ed. 141; — modern Beit Kâd near Mt Gilboa (Fu‡u±a) according to Surveyii. 83; but compare בַּיִת 1 עֵ֫קֶד noun [masculine] ? binding, compare הָרֹעִים ׳בֵּית ע. II. עקד (√ of following; usually identified with I, whence עָקֹד striped with bands, but dubious; LagBN 31 vocalizes √ עָקֹד). Topical Lexicon Biblical context Beth-eked appears only in 2 Kings 10:12–14. During Jehu’s divinely sanctioned purge of the house of Ahab, he encounters “the relatives of King Ahaziah of Judah” at “Beth-eked of the shepherds” (verse 13). After identifying them, “he said, ‘Take them alive!’ … and slaughtered them by the well of Beth-eked, forty-two men. He spared none of them” (verse 14). The site thus becomes the stage on which the northern and southern royal lines are simultaneously judged. Historical background: Jehu’s revolution Jehu had been anointed to carry out Elijah’s prophetic commission (1 Kings 19:16–17). His revolt unfolds rapidly: Beth-eked therefore marks the midpoint of his campaign, illustrating the comprehensive nature of covenant judgment reaching beyond Israel to Judah because of shared complicity in idolatry (2 Chronicles 22:3–4). Geographical considerations The narrative places Beth-eked on the road between Jezreel and Samaria. The expression “of the shepherds” suggests open pastureland, perhaps a well-watered resting place where flocks were sheared or bound. Its exact location remains uncertain, but the roadside setting explains why travelers from Judah could be intercepted there. Theological themes 1. Covenant fidelity and judgment – The slaughter fulfills the word spoken to Elijah (1 Kings 21:21–24). God’s promises of judgment are as sure as His promises of blessing. Practical ministry insights • Leadership matters: Compromise at the top filters through a nation and a family. Related passages for study 1 Kings 19:17; 1 Kings 21:21–24; 2 Kings 9–10; 2 Chronicles 22:3–9; Hosea 1:4; Matthew 13:41–43. Summary Beth-eked, though mentioned only once, stands as a vivid memorial to God’s uncompromising holiness. Situated on a dusty road between royal cities, it became the “house” where covenant breakers were bound and judged, underscoring the urgency of wholehearted devotion to the Lord. Forms and Transliterations עֵ֗קֶד עקד ‘ê·qeḏ ‘êqeḏ EkedLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Kings 10:14 HEB: בּ֣וֹר בֵּֽית־ עֵ֗קֶד אַרְבָּעִ֤ים וּשְׁנַ֙יִם֙ NAS: them at the pit of Beth-eked, forty-two KJV: them at the pit of the shearing house, [even] two INT: at the pit of Beth-eked and forty two |
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