Lexical Summary Beeroth: Beeroth Original Word: בְּאֵרוֹת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Beeroth Feminine plural of 'er; wells; Beeroth, a place in Palestine -- Beeroth. see HEBREW 'er NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originpl. of beer Definition "wells," a place in Pal. NASB Translation Beeroth (5). Brown-Driver-Briggs בְאֵרוֺת proper name, of a location (but only 2 Samuel 4:2 according to Masora, see BDEzra 2:23 elsewhere בְּאֵרֹת), city of the Gibeonites Joshua 9:17; assigned to Benjamin 2 Samuel 4:2; Joshua 18:25; compare also Ezra 2:25; Nehemiah 7:29; modern el-Bîreh RobBR i. 452 BdPal 214 Surveyiii. 88. Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting Beʾeroth lay in the central hill country of Benjamin, a short distance northwest of Jerusalem and close to Gibeon. Its name, “wells,” reflects the plentiful water sources that sustained settlement and made the town a logical waypoint on north–south routes through the mountains of Ephraim. Modern scholarship usually identifies the site with Khirbet el‐Bîreh or nearby Ras et‐Tanûr, where bedrock cisterns and Iron Age sherds confirm long-standing occupation. Biblical Narrative Context 1. Gibeonite Confederacy (Joshua 9:17) When Israel discovered the ruse of the Gibeonites, “the Israelites journeyed on and came to their cities on the third day: Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim”. Though deceived, Joshua honored the covenant; thus Beʾeroth became a living witness to the power and permanence of an oath made in the name of the LORD (Joshua 9:19). Beʾeroth appears again in Benjamin’s inheritance list, confirming that the Gibeonite towns, while non-Israelite ethnically, lay within Israel’s God-given borders. The juxtaposition highlights how grace and inclusion can coexist with divine order. “Now Saul’s son had two men who were leaders of raiding bands: one was Baanah, and the other Rechab, sons of Rimmon the Beerothite… Beeroth is considered part of Benjamin, because the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and have lived there as foreigners to this day”. The assassins’ origin underscores Beeroth’s Benjaminite identity and illustrates the disorder attending the transition from Saul to David. Returnees from “the sons of Beeroth” numbered 223. Though small, the remnant testifies that God preserved families from a town that had been displaced for centuries, reaffirming covenant faithfulness even after judgment and exile. Historical and Archaeological Notes Roman milestones, Byzantine pottery, and early Christian tradition connect the area to strategic roads linking Jerusalem with Shechem and the coastal plain. Excavations reveal water installations matching the toponym. While no inscription naming Beʾeroth has surfaced, the convergence of topography, distance measurements in Eusebius’ Onomasticon (seven Roman miles from Jerusalem), and continuity of settlement lends weight to the identification. Theological Themes • Covenant Integrity: Joshua’s honor of the treaty with Gibeon, including Beeroth, models trustworthiness in leadership despite inconvenient circumstances. Ministry Implications 1. Trustworthy Promises: Church leaders today must keep their word, even when commitments become costly, mirroring Joshua’s fidelity. Key References Joshua 9:17; Joshua 18:25; 2 Samuel 4:2–3; Ezra 2:25; Nehemiah 7:29 Forms and Transliterations בְּאֵר֔וֹת בארות וּבְאֵר֔וֹת וּבְאֵר֖וֹת וּבְאֵרֽוֹת׃ ובארות ובארות׃ bə’êrōwṯ bə·’ê·rō·wṯ beeRot ū·ḇə·’ê·rō·wṯ ūḇə’êrōwṯ uveeRotLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 9:17 HEB: גִּבְע֣וֹן וְהַכְּפִירָ֔ה וּבְאֵר֖וֹת וְקִרְיַ֥ת יְעָרִֽים׃ NAS: and Chephirah and Beeroth and Kiriath-jearim. KJV: and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim. INT: Gibeon and Chephirah and Beeroth and Kiriath-jearim Joshua 18:25 2 Samuel 4:2 Ezra 2:25 Nehemiah 7:29 5 Occurrences |
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