1053. Beth Shemesh

Lexicon

Beth Shemesh: House of the Sun

Original Word: בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Beyth Shemesh
Pronunciation: bayth SHEH-mesh
Phonetic Spelling: (bayth sheh'-mesh)
Definition: House of the Sun
Meaning: Beth-Shemesh

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Beth-shemesh

From bayith and shemesh; house of (the) sun; Beth-Shemesh, a place in Palestine -- Beth-shemesh.

see HEBREW bayith

see HEBREW shemesh

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from bayith and shemesh
Definition
"sun temple," three places in Pal., also a place in Eg.
NASB Translation
Beth-shemesh (20), Heliopolis (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

בֵּית שֶׁ֫מֶשׁ proper name, of a location (sun-temple) — ׳שׁ ׳בּ Joshua 19:22 8t., ׳שֿׁ׳בּ Joshua 15:10 6t.; שָׁ֑מֶשׁ ׳בּ Joshua 19:38 4t.; —

1 city in southwest Judah Joshua 15:10; 1 Samuel 6:9,12 (twice in verse); 1 Samuel 6:13,15,19,20; 1 Kings 4:9; 2 Kings 14:13 2Chronicles 25:23; 28:18; distinguished from other places of same name as אֲשֶׁר לִיהוּדָה ׳שׁ ׳בּ 2 Kings 14:11 2Chronicles 25:21; assigned to Levites Joshua 21:16 = 1 Chronicles 6:44; — ruin at modern `Ain Shems Rob^{BR ii. 223 f.} Bd^{Pal 163} Survey^{iii. 35, 60.}

2 city in Naphtali Joshua 19:38; Judges 1:33 (twice in verse)

3 city in Issachar Joshua 19:22; possibly `Ain esh-Shemsîyeh, Jordan valley, south of Beisân (Beth Shean) Survey^{ii. 231.}

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

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from two Hebrew words: בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) meaning "house" and שֶׁמֶשׁ (shemesh, H8121) meaning "sun."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There are no direct Greek equivalents for Beth-Shemesh in the Strong's Concordance, as it is a proper noun specific to Hebrew texts. However, the concept of a "house" (οἶκος, oikos) and "sun" (ἥλιος, helios) can be found in Greek, though they do not directly correspond to the proper noun Beth-Shemesh.

Usage: Beth-Shemesh is used as a proper noun in the Hebrew Bible, referring to several locations in ancient Israel. It is mentioned in various contexts, often as a city or town.

Context: Beth-Shemesh, meaning "House of the Sun," is a significant location mentioned multiple times in the Hebrew Bible. It is identified as a Levitical city within the territory of the tribe of Dan, and later associated with the tribe of Judah. The city is notable for its strategic location and its religious significance.

• Geographical Significance: Beth-Shemesh was situated near the border of Judah and Philistia, making it a site of frequent conflict and interaction between the Israelites and the Philistines. Its location on the Sorek Valley provided a vital route for trade and military movements.

• Biblical Events: One of the most notable events associated with Beth-Shemesh is the return of the Ark of the Covenant by the Philistines. After suffering plagues, the Philistines sent the Ark back to Israel on a cart, which arrived at Beth-Shemesh (1 Samuel 6:12-15, BSB). The people of Beth-Shemesh rejoiced at its return, but some were struck down for looking into the Ark (1 Samuel 6:19, BSB).

• Levitical City: As a Levitical city, Beth-Shemesh was designated for the priests and Levites, who were responsible for religious duties and maintaining the worship practices of Israel.

• Archaeological Insights: Modern archaeological excavations at Tel Beth-Shemesh have uncovered evidence of its historical significance, including fortifications, dwellings, and artifacts that reflect its role as a border city.

• Other References: Beth-Shemesh is also mentioned in the context of King Amaziah of Judah, who was defeated by Jehoash of Israel at this location (2 Kings 14:11-13, BSB). Additionally, it is listed among the cities of Judah in Joshua 15:10 (BSB).

Forms and Transliterations

שֶׁ֔מֶשׁ שֶׁ֖מֶשׁ שֶׁ֗מֶשׁ שֶׁ֙מֶשׁ֙ שֶׁ֨מֶשׁ שָֽׁמֶשׁ׃ שָׁ֑מֶשׁ שמש שמש׃ šā·meš šāmeš še·meš šemeš Shamesh Shemesh

Englishman's Concordance

Joshua 15:10
HEB: וְיָרַ֥ד בֵּֽית־ שֶׁ֖מֶשׁ וְעָבַ֥ר תִּמְנָֽה׃
NAS: and went down to Beth-shemesh and continued through
KJV: and went down to Bethshemesh, and passed on
INT: which Chesalon down to Beth-shemesh and continued Timnah

Joshua 19:22
HEB: ק) וּבֵ֣ית שֶׁ֔מֶשׁ וְהָי֛וּ תֹּצְא֥וֹת
NAS: and Shahazumah and Beth-shemesh, and their border
KJV: and Shahazimah, and Bethshemesh; and the outgoings
INT: to Tabor Shahazimah and Beth-shemesh become and the outgoings

Joshua 19:38
HEB: עֲנָ֖ת וּבֵ֣ית שָׁ֑מֶשׁ עָרִ֥ים תְּשַֽׁע־
NAS: and Beth-anath and Beth-shemesh; nineteen
KJV: and Bethanath, and Bethshemesh; nineteen
INT: Horem and Beth-anath and Beth-shemesh cities nine

Joshua 21:16
HEB: אֶת־ בֵּ֥ית שֶׁ֖מֶשׁ וְאֶת־ מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ
NAS: with its pasture lands [and] Beth-shemesh with its pasture lands;
KJV: with her suburbs, [and] Bethshemesh with her suburbs;
INT: and Juttah lands Beth-shemesh pasture cities

Judges 1:33
HEB: יֹשְׁבֵ֤י בֵֽית־ שֶׁ֙מֶשׁ֙ וְאֶת־ יֹשְׁבֵ֣י
NAS: out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh, or the inhabitants
KJV: the inhabitants of Bethshemesh, nor the inhabitants
INT: drive the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh the inhabitants of Beth-anath

Judges 1:33
HEB: וְיֹשְׁבֵ֤י בֵֽית־ שֶׁ֙מֶשׁ֙ וּבֵ֣ית עֲנָ֔ת
NAS: and the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath
KJV: nevertheless the inhabitants of Bethshemesh and of Bethanath
INT: of the land and the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath became

1 Samuel 6:9
HEB: יַֽעֲלֶה֙ בֵּ֣ית שֶׁ֔מֶשׁ ה֚וּא עָ֣שָׂה
NAS: of its own territory to Beth-shemesh, then He has done
KJV: of his own coast to Bethshemesh, [then] he hath done
INT: territory goes to Beth-shemesh He has done

1 Samuel 6:12
HEB: דֶּ֙רֶךְ֙ בֵּ֣ית שֶׁ֔מֶשׁ בִּמְסִלָּ֣ה אַחַ֗ת
NAS: in the direction of Beth-shemesh; they went
KJV: to the way of Bethshemesh, [and] went along
INT: in the direction of Beth-shemesh the highway they

1 Samuel 6:12
HEB: גְּב֖וּל בֵּ֥ית שָֽׁמֶשׁ׃
NAS: them to the border of Beth-shemesh.
KJV: them unto the border of Bethshemesh.
INT: them to the border of Beth-shemesh

1 Samuel 6:13
HEB: וּבֵ֣ית שֶׁ֔מֶשׁ קֹצְרִ֥ים קְצִיר־
NAS: Now [the people of] Beth-shemesh were reaping
KJV: And [they of] Bethshemesh [were] reaping
INT: Beth-shemesh were reaping harvest

1 Samuel 6:15
HEB: וְאַנְשֵׁ֣י בֵֽית־ שֶׁ֗מֶשׁ הֶעֱל֨וּ עֹל֜וֹת
NAS: and the men of Beth-shemesh offered
KJV: and the men of Bethshemesh offered
INT: the large and the men of Beth-shemesh offered burnt

1 Samuel 6:19
HEB: בְּאַנְשֵׁ֣י בֵֽית־ שֶׁ֗מֶשׁ כִּ֤י רָאוּ֙
NAS: some of the men of Beth-shemesh because
KJV: the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked
INT: had struck men of Bethshemesh because had looked

1 Samuel 6:20
HEB: אַנְשֵׁ֣י בֵֽית־ שֶׁ֔מֶשׁ מִ֚י יוּכַ֣ל
NAS: The men of Beth-shemesh said, Who
KJV: And the men of Bethshemesh said,
INT: said the men of Beth-shemesh Who is able

1 Kings 4:9
HEB: וּבְשַֽׁעַלְבִ֖ים וּבֵ֣ית שָׁ֑מֶשׁ וְאֵיל֖וֹן בֵּ֥ית
NAS: and Shaalbim and Beth-shemesh and Elonbeth-hanan;
KJV: and in Shaalbim, and Bethshemesh, and Elonbethhanan:
INT: Makaz and Shaalbim and Beth-shemesh and Elonbeth-hanan

2 Kings 14:11
HEB: יְהוּדָ֑ה בְּבֵ֥ית שֶׁ֖מֶשׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר לִיהוּדָֽה׃
NAS: faced each other at Beth-shemesh, which
KJV: one another in the face at Bethshemesh, which [belongeth] to Judah.
INT: king of Judah Beth-shemesh which to Judah

2 Kings 14:13
HEB: יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּבֵ֣ית שָׁ֑מֶשׁ [וַיָּבֹאוּ כ]
NAS: of Ahaziah, at Beth-shemesh, and came
KJV: of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came
INT: king of Israel Bethshemesh abide to Jerusalem

1 Chronicles 6:59
HEB: וְאֶת־ בֵּ֥ית שֶׁ֖מֶשׁ וְאֶת־ מִגְרָשֶֽׁיהָ׃
NAS: lands and Beth-shemesh with its pasture lands;
KJV: with her suburbs, and Bethshemesh with her suburbs:
INT: Ashan pasture and Beth-shemesh lands

2 Chronicles 25:21
HEB: יְהוּדָ֑ה בְּבֵ֥ית שֶׁ֖מֶשׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר לִיהוּדָֽה׃
NAS: faced each other at Beth-shemesh, which
KJV: of Judah, at Bethshemesh, which [belongeth] to Judah.
INT: king of Judah Beth-shemesh which to Judah

2 Chronicles 25:23
HEB: יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּבֵ֣ית שָׁ֑מֶשׁ וַיְבִיאֵ֙הוּ֙ יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
NAS: of Jehoahaz, at Beth-shemesh, and brought
KJV: of Jehoahaz, at Bethshemesh, and brought
INT: king of Israel Bethshemesh and brought to Jerusalem

2 Chronicles 28:18
HEB: אֶת־ בֵּֽית־ שֶׁ֨מֶשׁ וְאֶת־ אַיָּל֜וֹן
NAS: and had taken Beth-shemesh, Aijalon,
KJV: and had taken Bethshemesh, and Ajalon,
INT: of Judah taken Beth-shemesh Aijalon Gederoth

Jeremiah 43:13
HEB: מַצְּבוֹת֙ בֵּ֣ית שֶׁ֔מֶשׁ אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּאֶ֣רֶץ
NAS: the obelisks of Heliopolis, which
KJV: also the images of Bethshemesh, that [is] in the land
INT: shatter the obelisks of Heliopolis which the land

21 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 1053
21 Occurrences

šā·meš — 5 Occ.
še·meš — 16 Occ.