Biblical References:
Beeshterah is mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Joshua. The reference can be found in Joshua 21:27, where it is listed as one of the cities given to the Levites.

Scriptural Context:
In the division of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel, certain cities were designated for the Levites, who were the priestly tribe. The Levites did not receive a large contiguous territory like the other tribes but were instead given specific cities scattered throughout the land. This arrangement allowed them to perform their religious duties and serve the spiritual needs of the entire nation of Israel.

Joshua 21:27 states: "To the Gershonites, one of the clans of the Levites, they gave from the half-tribe of Manasseh: Golan in Bashan, a city of refuge for the manslayer, and Beeshterah—two cities, along with their pasturelands."

Historical and Geographical Context:
Beeshterah is located in the region of Bashan, which is part of the territory allocated to the half-tribe of Manasseh. Bashan was known for its fertile land and was situated to the east of the Jordan River. The city of Beeshterah, along with Golan, served as a Levitical city, providing a place for the Levites to live and carry out their priestly functions.

The name "Beeshterah" is believed to be a contraction of "Beth Ashtaroth," which means "house of Ashtaroth." Ashtaroth was a Canaanite goddess, and the name suggests that the city may have had a history of pagan worship before being allocated to the Levites. The transformation of such a city into a Levitical center underscores the Israelites' mission to establish the worship of Yahweh in the land.

Theological Significance:
The allocation of Beeshterah to the Levites highlights the importance of the priestly tribe in Israel's religious life. The Levites were responsible for teaching the Law, leading worship, and maintaining the spiritual purity of the nation. By placing Levitical cities throughout the land, God ensured that His presence and instruction were accessible to all the tribes of Israel.

The mention of Beeshterah in the context of Levitical cities also reflects the broader theme of God's provision and order in the distribution of the land. Each tribe and clan received their inheritance according to divine instruction, demonstrating God's sovereignty and faithfulness to His promises.

Archaeological Insights:
While specific archaeological evidence for Beeshterah is limited, the region of Bashan has been the subject of various excavations. These studies have provided insights into the ancient cultures and settlements that existed in the area, offering a backdrop for understanding the historical context of biblical narratives.

Conclusion:
Beeshterah serves as a testament to the careful planning and divine orchestration in the establishment of Israel in the Promised Land. As a Levitical city, it played a role in the spiritual life of the nation, ensuring that the worship of Yahweh was central to the community's identity and practice.Beeshterah

(house of Ashterah), one of the two cities allotted to the sons of Gershon out of the tribe of Manasseh beyond Jordan. (Joshua 21:27) Probably identical with Ashtaroth. (1 Chronicles 6:71)

Beeshterah

A Levitical city, in Manasseh beyond the Jordan, Joshua 21:27. It is also called Ashtaroth, 1 Chronicles 6:71, and is perhaps a contraction of Beth-Ashtaroth.

ASHTAROTH; ASHTEROTH-KARNAIM; BEESHTERAH

ash'-ta-roth, as'-ta-roth (`ashtaroth; the King James Version Astaroth; Astaroth, the city of Og, king of Bashan (Deuteronomy 14, etc.); `ashteroth qarnayim, the scene of the defeat of the Rephaim by Chedorlaomer (Genesis 14:5): (be`eshterah) a Levitical city in Manasseh East of the Jordan (Joshua 21:27)): The name probably means "house" or "temple of Ashtoreth." It is identical with Ashtaroth of 1 Chronicles 6:71. Ashtaroth is the plural of ASHTORETH (which see). The name denotes a place associated with the worship of this goddess. Ashteroth-karnaim is mentioned only once in canonical Scripture unless we accept Gratz's restoration, when Karnaim appears as a city taken by Israel: "Have we not taken to us horns (qarnayim) by our own strength?" (Amos 6:13). It is identical with Carnion or Carnaim of 1 and 2 Maccabees, a city of Gilead with a temple of Atar-gatis. The name Ashtaroth has been identified with Astertu in the lists of Tahutmes III of the XVIIIth Egyptian Dynasty; and with Ashtarti of the Tell el-Amarna Letters. Its claim to antiquity is therefore well established.

As far as the Biblical record is concerned, the names at the head of this article might stand for one and the same city, Ashtaroth being a contraction from Ashteroth-karnaim. But in the days of Eusebius and Jerome, we learn from the Onomasticon, there were two forts of this name 9 miles apart, lying between Adara (Der`ah) and Abila (Abil), while Ashtaroth, the ancient city of Og, king of Bashan, lay 6 miles from Adara. Carnaim Ashtaroth, which is evidently identical with Ashteroth-karnaim, they describe as a large village in the angle of Bashan where tradition places the home of Job. This seems to point to Tell `Ashtara, a hill which rises about 80 ft. above the plain, 2 miles South of el-Merkez, the seat of the governor of the Chauran. Three-quarters of a mile North of el-Merkez, at the south end of a ridge on which the village of Sheikh Ca'ad is built, stands the weley of the stone of Job, Weley Sakhret 'Ayyub. By the large stone under the dome Job was said to have sat to receive his friends during his affliction.

An Egyptian inscription, found by Schumacher, proves the stone to be a monument of the time of Rameses II. At the foot of the hill is pointed out the bath of Job. In el-Merkez the building known as Deir 'Ayyub, "Monastery of Job," is now part of the barracks. There is also shown the tomb of Job. The stream which flows southward past Tell `Ashtara, is called Moyet en-Neby 'Ayyub, "stream of the prophet Job," and is said to have risen where the patriarch stamped his foot on his recovery. It is to be noted also that the district lying in the angle formed by Nahr er-Raqqad and the Yarmuk River is called to this day ez-Zawiyet esh-sharqiyeh, "the eastern angle" (i.e. of the Jaulan). The term may in Jerome's time have covered the land east of the `Allan, although this is now part of the Chauran. At Tell `Ashtara there are remains pointing to a high antiquity. The site was also occupied during the Middle Ages. Perhaps here we should locate Carnaim Ashtaroth of the Onomasticon. It does not, however, agree with the description of Carnaim in 1 and 2 Maccabees. The Ashtaroth of the Onomasticon may have been at el-Muzerib, on the great pilgrimage road, about 6 Roman miles from Der'ah-the distance indicated by Eusebius. The old fortress here was situated on an island in the middle of the lake, Baheiret el-Bajjeh. A full description of the place is given in Schumacher's Across the Jordan, 137. It must have been a position of great strength in antiquity; but the ancient name has not been recovered.

Some would place Ashteroth-karnaim, the Carnaim of the Maccabees, at Tell 'Ash`ari, a site 10 Roman miles North of Der`ah, and 4 1/2 Roman miles S 2 of Tell `Ashtara. This clearly was "a place hard to besiege, and difficult of access by reason of the narrowness of the approaches on all sides" (2 Maccabees 12:21). It crowns a promontory which stands out between the deep gorge of the Yarmuk River and a great chasm, at the head of which is a waterfall. It could be approached only by the neck connecting it with the mainland; and here it was guarded by a triple wall, the ruins of which are seen today. The remains of a temple close by the bridge over the Yarmuk may mark the scene of the slaughter by Judas.

The whole question however is obscure. Eusebius is clearly guilty of confusion, with his two Ashtaroth-karnaims and his Carnaim Ashtaroth. All the places we have named lie considerably North of a line drawn from Tell Abel to Der`ah. For light upon the problem of identification we must wait the results of excavation.

W. Ewing

BEESHTERAH

be-esh'-te-ra (Joshua 21:27).

See ASHTAROTH.

1203. Beeshterah -- perhaps "house of Ashtoreth," a Levitical city ...
... 1202, 1203. Beeshterah. 1204 . perhaps "house of Ashtoreth," a Levitical
city ... Be-eshterah (1). Beeshterah. From ashtrah (as singular ...
/hebrew/1203.htm - 6kBeeshterah (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ASHTAROTH; ASHTEROTH-KARNAIM; BEESHTERAH. ... W.
Ewing. BEESHTERAH. be-esh'-te-ra (Joshua 21:27). See ASHTAROTH. ...
/b/beeshterah.htm - 12k

Eshtarah (1 Occurrence)
... Levites, out of the half-tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan with the open
land about it, the city of refuge for the manslayer; and Beeshterah with the ...
/e/eshtarah.htm - 6k

Beesh'terah (1 Occurrence)
... Levites, out of the half-tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan with the open
land about it, the city of refuge for the manslayer; and Beeshterah with the ...
/b/beesh'terah.htm - 6k

Bees (5 Occurrences)

/b/bees.htm - 7k

Be-eshterah (1 Occurrence)
Be-eshterah. Beeshterah, Be-eshterah. Beesh'terah . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(ASV NAS). Beeshterah, Be-eshterah. Beesh'terah . Reference Bible.
/b/be-eshterah.htm - 6k

Ashterothkarnaim
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ASHTAROTH; ASHTEROTH-KARNAIM; BEESHTERAH.
ash'-ta-roth, as'-ta-roth (`ashtaroth; the King James ...
/a/ashterothkarnaim.htm - 11k

Ashteroth-karnaim (1 Occurrence)
Ashteroth-karnaim. Ashterothkarnaim, Ashteroth-karnaim. Ash'teroth-karna'im .
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ASHTAROTH; ASHTEROTH-KARNAIM; BEESHTERAH. ...
/a/ashteroth-karnaim.htm - 12k

Ashtaroth (13 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) Plural of Ashtoreth. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. ASHTAROTH; ASHTEROTH-KARNAIM; BEESHTERAH. ash ...
/a/ashtaroth.htm - 17k

Man-slayer (20 Occurrences)
... of the Levites, out of the half of the tribe of Manasseh, the city of refuge 'for'
the man-slayer, Golan in Bashan and its suburbs, and Beeshterah and its ...
/m/man-slayer.htm - 13k

Gershonites (17 Occurrences)
... Levites, out of the half-tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan with the open
land about it, the city of refuge for the manslayer; and Beeshterah with the ...
/g/gershonites.htm - 14k

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