Lexical Summary Betonim: Betonim Original Word: בְּטֹנִים Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Betonim Probably plural from boten; hollows: Betonim, a place in Palestine -- Betonim. see HEBREW boten NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as botnim Definition a city of Gad NASB Translation Betonim (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs בְּטֹנִים proper name, of a location city of Gad, east of Jordan Joshua 13:26, modern Ba‰ne, west of Es-Sal‰ (see d. VeldeMemoir 298) = Βοτνία compare LagOnom. 294, 2nd ed. 247. Topical Lexicon Etymology and Meaning Although the precise nuance of בְּטֹנִים (Betonim) is debated, its form suggests rocky hollows or rugged places, an idea consistent with the broken terrain east of the Jordan River. The name therefore evokes both the physical setting and the sense of a secure enclave carved out for Israel by the Lord. Geographical Setting Betonim lay in the central highlands of Gilead, between Heshbon and Mahanaim, not far from Ramath Mizpeh. The locale sits on the eastern side of the Jordan, within the allotment granted to the tribe of Gad after Israel’s conquest of the land (Joshua 13:26). The broader region is bounded by fertile plateaus, steep wadis, and strategic routes linking northern and southern Transjordan. Biblical Context and Narrative Significance Joshua 13 presents the division of Canaan among the remaining tribes. Verse 26 lists Betonim as a landmark on Gad’s western frontier: “from Heshbon to Ramath-mizpeh and Betonim, and from Mahanaim to the border of Debir” (Joshua 13:26). By including Betonim in the territorial description, Scripture highlights: Historical and Archaeological Considerations The exact site has not been conclusively identified, though scholars have proposed modern Khirbet el-Batlâniyyeh or surrounding tells overlooking the Jabbok River. Sparse pottery from Iron Age I-II scattered across these hills confirms Israelite occupation in the time of the Judges and early monarchy. Even without a definitive excavation, the wider region testifies to settled agrarian life, seasonal shepherding, and caravan trade—activities that would have sustained a town like Betonim. Theological and Devotional Insights 1. Faithfulness in Detail: The inclusion of little-known places underlines the precision of divine promise. Orts that appear only once in Scripture still matter, showing that no aspect of God’s plan is incidental. Ministry Applications Today • Local Church Encouragement: Congregations serving in seemingly remote or small settings can view themselves as “modern Betonims,” strategically planted by God for regional blessing. Forms and Transliterations וּבְטֹנִ֑ים ובטנים ū·ḇə·ṭō·nîm ūḇəṭōnîm uvetoNimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 13:26 HEB: רָמַ֥ת הַמִּצְפֶּ֖ה וּבְטֹנִ֑ים וּמִֽמַּחֲנַ֖יִם עַד־ NAS: as Ramath-mizpeh and Betonim, and from Mahanaim KJV: unto Ramathmizpeh, and Betonim; and from Mahanaim INT: far Ramath-mizpeh and Betonim Mahanaim far 1 Occurrence |
    |