Lexical Summary Bealoth: Bealoth Original Word: בְּעָלוֹת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Bealoth, in Aloth Plural of ba'alah; mistresses; Bealoth, a place in Palestine -- Bealoth, in Aloth (by mistake for a plural from alah with prepositional prefix). see HEBREW ba'alah see HEBREW alah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originpl. of baalah Definition "mistresses," a city in S. Judah, also a city of unc. location NASB Translation Bealoth (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs בְּעָלוֺת proper name, of a location plural Joshua 15:24; 1 Kings 4:16, a city in the south of Judah, possibly the same as II.בַּעַל. Topical Lexicon Name and Meaning Bealoth (בְּעָלוֹת, Strong’s Hebrew 1175) is usually rendered “Bealoth” or “Aloth,” a feminine plural form derived from the root בּעל (“lord,” “master”). The name therefore carries the sense of “mistresses” or “possessions,” perhaps reflecting earlier Canaanite religious vocabulary but, by the time the text was written, functioning strictly as a geographic designation within Israel’s covenant land. Biblical References • Joshua 15:24 – included among the southern towns allotted to the tribe of Judah: “Ziph, Telem, Bealoth,”. Geographical Setting 1. Southern Judah (the Negev): In Joshua 15 the town appears between Telem and Ziph, a cluster of sites south-southwest of Hebron, edging toward the Wilderness of Zin. Its placement links it with caravan routes leading into Edom and Egypt, making it part of Judah’s southern “gateway” and a watchpoint for desert traffic. Historical Significance 1. Tribal Allotment and Covenant Fulfillment The meticulous listing of Bealoth in Joshua 15 witnesses to the faithfulness of God in giving Israel tangible inheritance down to the smallest settlement (Joshua 21:43–45). Even remote desert villages were recorded, underscoring that no promise fell to the ground. The Negev cities, including Bealoth, formed a chain of outposts guarding Judah’s southern flank and facilitating commerce with Arabia and Africa. Control of these towns prevented hostile incursions and secured vital trade revenue—an early example of the intertwining of spiritual vocation (the land promise) and economic stewardship. In 1 Kings 4 Solomon reorganized Israel into twelve districts for taxation and provisioning of the royal court. The appearance of Bealoth/Aloth in that list illustrates how localities once merely tribal became integrated into a national structure, signaling a shift from loose confederation to centralized monarchy, yet still within the covenant framework. Possible Identifications and Archaeology Proposed locations include: No excavation has definitively confirmed any identification, yet pottery scatters and Iron Age fortifications at several Negev tells align with the biblical witness to small fortified settlements along the southern frontier. Theological and Ministry Reflections 1. God’s Care for the Small and Obscure Though Bealoth never features in dramatic narratives, its inclusion in Scripture reminds believers that God’s purposes embrace both the renowned and the forgotten. In ministry, remote congregations and obscure servants are equally part of His plan (1 Corinthians 12:22). Bealoth’s role in trade routes and district provisioning illustrates that land and economy are entrusted gifts. Wise administration, as exemplified in Solomon’s district system, serves the welfare of God’s people and honors the Lord of the land (Proverbs 14:34). From Joshua’s conquest to Solomon’s kingdom, Bealoth traces a line of continuity. The same God who apportioned the land oversees its governance centuries later, reinforcing confidence that the divine narrative moves steadily toward its culmination in Christ (Ephesians 1:10). Key Lessons for Today • Remember and record God’s blessings, even the “minor” ones. Related Entries Baalath-beer; Baalath; Negev; Solomon’s Districts; Tribal Allotments Forms and Transliterations וּבְעָלֽוֹת׃ ובעלות׃ ū·ḇə·‘ā·lō·wṯ ūḇə‘ālōwṯ uveaLotLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 15:24 HEB: זִ֥יף וָטֶ֖לֶם וּבְעָלֽוֹת׃ NAS: Ziph and Telem and Bealoth, KJV: Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth, INT: Ziph and Telem and Bealoth 1 Kings 4:16 2 Occurrences |
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