Beth-shittah is a location mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Judges. The name "Beth-shittah" translates to "house of the acacia," indicating that the area may have been known for its acacia trees, which are common in the region. This site is part of the narrative concerning Gideon, one of the judges of Israel, who led a divinely appointed mission to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of the Midianites.

Biblical Reference:

Beth-shittah is mentioned in Judges 7:22. The context of this passage is the miraculous victory of Gideon over the Midianite army. After reducing his forces to just 300 men, Gideon, under God's guidance, launched a surprise attack on the Midianites. The Lord caused confusion among the Midianite soldiers, leading them to turn on each other. The text states: "When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the LORD set the sword of each man against his companion throughout the camp, and the army fled to Beth-shittah toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath" (Judges 7:22).

Geographical and Historical Context:

Beth-shittah is believed to have been located in the Jezreel Valley, a fertile region in northern Israel. The exact location of Beth-shittah is not definitively known today, but it is thought to be near the modern-day area of the Jordan Valley. The Jezreel Valley was a strategic location due to its fertile land and its position as a crossroads for various trade routes.

The mention of Beth-shittah in the context of Gideon's victory highlights the significance of the location as part of the route taken by the fleeing Midianites. The narrative underscores the divine intervention in Israel's history, where God used Gideon and his small band of men to achieve a great victory, emphasizing the theme of God's power and faithfulness to His people.

Theological Significance:

The account of Beth-shittah in the account of Gideon serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His ability to deliver His people against overwhelming odds. It illustrates the principle that victory does not depend on human strength or numbers but on obedience to God's will and reliance on His power. The account of Gideon, including the mention of Beth-shittah, is often cited as an example of faith and courage in the face of adversity.

Beth-shittah, though a minor geographical reference, plays a role in the larger narrative of God's redemptive history with Israel. It is a testament to the historical reality of the biblical events and the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises to His chosen people.BETH-SHITTAH

beth-shit'-a (beth ha-shiTTah, "house of the acacia"): A place on the route followed by the Midianites in their flight before Gideon (Judges 7:22). It is probably identical with the modern ShuTTa, a village in the Vale of Jezreel, about 6 miles Northwest of Beisan.

1029. Beth Hashshittah -- "place of the acacia," a place in ...
... "place of the acacia," a place in Palestine. Transliteration: Beth Hashshittah Phonetic
Spelling: (bayth hash-shit-taw') Short Definition: Beth-shittah. ...
/hebrew/1029.htm - 6k

A Battle Without a Sword
... hundred blew the trumpets, and the Lord set every man's sword against his fellow,
even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Beth-shittah in Zererath ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a battle without a sword.htm

Bethshittah (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia BETH-SHITTAH. beth-shit'-a ... Beisan.
Multi-Version Concordance Bethshittah (1 Occurrence). Judges 7 ...
/b/bethshittah.htm - 7k

Beth-shittah (1 Occurrence)
Beth-shittah. Bethshittah, Beth-shittah. Beth-shit'tah . Int. ... (ASV BBE JPS WBS
YLT NAS). Bethshittah, Beth-shittah. Beth-shit'tah . Reference Bible.
/b/beth-shittah.htm - 7k

Zererah (1 Occurrence)
... three hundred trumpets, and Yahweh set every man's sword against his fellow, and
against all the army; and the army fled as far as BethShittah toward Zererah ...
/z/zererah.htm - 7k

Zeredah (4 Occurrences)
... their horns, and every man's sword was turned by the Lord against his brother all
through the army; and the army went in flight as far as Beth-shittah in the ...
/z/zeredah.htm - 7k

Zererath (1 Occurrence)
... hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow,
even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath ...
/z/zererath.htm - 7k

Zarethan (4 Occurrences)
... In Judges 7:22, Gibeon is said to have pursued the Midianites "as far as Bethshittah
toward Zererah," which is probably a misreading for Zeredah, arising from ...
/z/zarethan.htm - 9k

Fleeth (54 Occurrences)
... blow the trumpets, and Jehovah setteth the sword of each against his companion,
even through all the camp; and the camp fleeth unto Beth-Shittah, at Zererath ...
/f/fleeth.htm - 22k

Tabbath (1 Occurrence)
... three hundred trumpets, and Yahweh set every man's sword against his fellow, and
against all the army; and the army fled as far as BethShittah toward Zererah ...
/t/tabbath.htm - 7k

Meholah (4 Occurrences)
... three hundred trumpets, and Yahweh set every man's sword against his fellow, and
against all the army; and the army fled as far as BethShittah toward Zererah ...
/m/meholah.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

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