Lexical Summary Betach: Security, safety, confidence Original Word: בֶּטח Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Betah The same as betach; Betach, a place in Syria -- Betah. see HEBREW betach NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom batach Definition a place in Aram (Syria) NASB Translation Betah (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. בֶּ֫טַח proper name, of a location city of Hadadezer king of Zobah 2 Samuel 8:8 (but read rather טִבְחַת so 1 Chronicles 18:8; ᵐ5 Sm Μασβακ, ᵐ5L Ματεβακ; ᵐ5 Chronicles Μεταβηχας, ᵐ5L ταβααθ; compare also We Dr). II. בטח (√ assumed for following). Topical Lexicon Name and Meaning בֶּטח (Betach/Betah) is the name of an Aramean royal city subdued by David. Though etymologically related to the Hebrew root for “security” or “trust,” in Scripture it functions solely as a place-name. Biblical Occurrence and Narrative Setting 2 Samuel 8:8 records the only explicit appearance of Betah: “From Betah and Berothai, towns of Hadadezer, King David took very large quantities of bronze”. The verse lies in the wider summary of David’s victories over neighboring powers (2 Samuel 8:1-14), victories that establish Israel’s security, expand its borders, and fulfill the divine promise of rest from enemies (2 Samuel 7:10-11). Parallel Text and Textual Variation The Chronicler renders the same city-name as “Tibhath” (1 Chronicles 18:8), pairing it with “Cun” instead of “Berothai.” Such variations likely reflect dialectal spellings or scribal preservation of alternative local pronunciations. Both texts agree on the essential facts: David captured the towns of Hadadezer and seized vast stores of bronze. Geographical Identification Hadadezer ruled the Aramean kingdom of Zobah, generally located in the Beqaa and upper Orontes regions of modern Lebanon and western Syria. Betah is therefore looked for north or northeast of Damascus, possibly along trade routes linking Zobah with Hamath. No site is confirmed archaeologically, but proposals include modern Tell Biʿa near the Euphrates or locations along the Orontes corridor. Whatever its precise spot, Betah was wealthy enough to store “very large quantities of bronze,” suggesting it was a strategic metallurgical or commercial center. Historical Background David’s campaign against Hadadezer (2 Samuel 8:3) arose when the Aramean king attempted to recover territory at the Euphrates. David’s victory curbed Aramean influence, brought extensive spoil, and compelled neighboring kingdoms to pay tribute (2 Samuel 8:6). Betah’s capture therefore marks a turning point in Israel-Aram relations, inaugurating an era in which Jerusalem, not Damascus, became the dominant power south of the Euphrates. Temple Preparation and Redemptive Significance The bronze from Betah later gained eternal significance. 1 Chronicles explicitly links the plunder to Solomon’s temple construction: “Solomon used it to make the bronze Sea, the pillars, and the bronze articles” (1 Chronicles 18:8). Thus the raw materials of a pagan stronghold were transformed into vessels of worship for the LORD. The episode prefigures the prophetic vision that the wealth of the nations will flow to Zion for God’s glory (Isaiah 60:5-9; Haggai 2:7-9). Theological Themes 1. Sovereign Provision: David’s military triumph supplied what would become indispensable for temple worship, underscoring that God equips His people in advance for future ministries (cf. 1 Chronicles 22:14-16). Ministry Applications • Resources gained in secular contexts may be consecrated for God’s service when stewarded in righteousness. Related References for Study 2 Samuel 8:1-14; 1 Chronicles 18:1-11; 1 Kings 7:13-51 (use of bronze in temple); Isaiah 60:5-9; Haggai 2:7-9. Forms and Transliterations וּמִבֶּ֥טַח ומבטח ū·mib·be·ṭaḥ umibBetach ūmibbeṭaḥLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 8:8 HEB: וּמִבֶּ֥טַח וּמִבֵּֽרֹתַ֖י עָרֵ֣י NAS: From Betah and from Berothai, cities KJV: And from Betah, and from Berothai, INT: Betah Berothai cities 1 Occurrence |
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