The term "Beth-shemite" refers to an inhabitant of Beth-shemesh, a city mentioned several times in the Old Testament. Beth-shemesh, meaning "House of the Sun," was a Levitical city located in the territory of Judah, near the border with the tribe of Dan. It played a significant role in several biblical narratives, particularly in the context of the Ark of the Covenant.

Biblical References:

1. Location and Significance:
Beth-shemesh is first mentioned in the context of the division of the land among the tribes of Israel. It is listed as one of the cities given to the Levites in the territory of Judah (Joshua 21:16). Its strategic location made it an important site during various periods of Israel's history.

2. The Ark of the Covenant:
One of the most notable events involving the Beth-shemites is the return of the Ark of the Covenant from the Philistines. After the Philistines captured the Ark and suffered plagues, they decided to return it to Israel. The Ark was placed on a new cart and sent back, eventually arriving at Beth-shemesh (1 Samuel 6:12-15). The people of Beth-shemesh rejoiced at the sight of the Ark and offered sacrifices to the Lord.

However, the joy turned to tragedy when some of the Beth-shemites looked into the Ark, an act forbidden by God. As a result, the Lord struck down a large number of the people. The Berean Standard Bible records this event: "But God struck down some of the men of Beth-shemesh because they had looked into the ark of the LORD. He struck down seventy men, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck them with a great slaughter" (1 Samuel 6:19).

3. Historical Context:
Beth-shemesh was also a site of conflict during the reign of King Amaziah of Judah. After a victory over the Edomites, Amaziah challenged Jehoash, king of Israel, to battle. The two armies met at Beth-shemesh, where Amaziah was defeated, and Jehoash captured him (2 Kings 14:11-13).

4. Archaeological Insights:
Modern archaeological excavations at the site identified as Beth-shemesh have uncovered evidence of its historical significance, including fortifications and artifacts that align with the biblical narrative. These findings provide a deeper understanding of the city's role in ancient Israel.

Theological Implications:

The events at Beth-shemesh underscore the holiness and reverence required in the presence of God, as represented by the Ark of the Covenant. The Beth-shemites' experience serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of adhering to God's commands. The narrative highlights the need for proper worship and respect for the sacred, themes that resonate throughout the biblical text.

Beth-shemesh, as a Levitical city, also emphasizes the role of the Levites in maintaining the spiritual life of Israel, serving as custodians of the Ark and facilitators of worship. The city's history reflects the broader narrative of Israel's relationship with God, marked by moments of faithfulness and failure.BETH-SHEMITE

beth-she'-mit beth-shimshi (1 Samuel 6:14, 20): An inhabitant of Beth-shemesh in Judah (compare BETH-SHEMESH 1).

1030. Beth-hashshimshi -- an inhabitant of Bethshemesh
... Beth-shemite. Word Origin from Beth Definition an inhab. of Bethshemesh
NASB Word Usage Beth-shemite (2). Bethshemite. Patrial from ...
/hebrew/1030.htm - 6k

The Form and Spirit of Religion
... You remember that this ark of the covenant, after it was brought back from the land
of the Philistines, was set in the field of Joshua the Bethshemite, and the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the form and spirit of.htm

Bethshemite (2 Occurrences)
...SHEMITE. beth-she'-mit beth-shimshi (1 Samuel 6:14, 20): An inhabitant of Beth-shemesh
in Judah (compare BETH-SHEMESH 1). Multi-Version Concordance Bethshemite...
/b/bethshemite.htm - 7k

Beth-shemite (2 Occurrences)
Beth-shemite. Bethshemite, Beth-shemite. Bethshittah . Int. ... (ASV BBE JPS WBS
NAS). Bethshemite, Beth-shemite. Bethshittah . Reference Bible.
/b/beth-shemite.htm - 7k

Beth-she'mesh (20 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 6:14 And the cart came into the field of Joshua the Beth-shemite, and stood
there, where there was a great stone; and they cleaved the wood of the cart ...
/b/beth-she'mesh.htm - 12k

Walled (63 Occurrences)
... lords, walled towns as well as country places: and the great stone where they put
the ark of the Lord is still in the field of Joshua the Beth-shemite to this ...
/w/walled.htm - 25k

Bethshittah (1 Occurrence)

/b/bethshittah.htm - 7k

Beth-shemeshites (1 Occurrence)
Beth-shemeshites. Beth-shemeshite, Beth-shemeshites. Bethshemite . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (YLT). Beth-shemeshite, Beth-shemeshites. Bethshemite . ...
/b/beth-shemeshites.htm - 6k

Cleaved (36 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 6:14 And the cart came into the field of Joshua the Beth-shemite, and stood
there, where there was a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart ...
/c/cleaved.htm - 16k

Clave (16 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 6:14 And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Bethshemite, and stood
there, where there was a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart ...
/c/clave.htm - 11k

Fenced (61 Occurrences)
... even unto the great stone of Abel, whereon they set down the ark of the LORD: which
stone remaineth unto this day in the field of Joshua, the Bethshemite. ...
/f/fenced.htm - 27k

Kine (24 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 6:14 And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Bethshemite, and stood
there, where there was a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart ...
/k/kine.htm - 16k

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