Etymology and Meaning:
The name "Bethul" is believed to derive from the Hebrew root "beth," meaning "house," and "El," meaning "God." Thus, Bethul can be interpreted as "House of God."

Biblical References:
Bethul is mentioned in the genealogical records of the tribe of Simeon. In 1 Chronicles 4:30, the Berean Standard Bible lists Bethul among the towns belonging to the descendants of Simeon: "Bethuel, Hormah, Ziklag." This reference places Bethul within the territorial allotment of Simeon, which was situated within the larger territory of Judah.

Historical and Geographical Context:
The tribe of Simeon was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Simeon, the second son of Jacob and Leah. The Simeonites initially received their inheritance within the territory of Judah, as described in Joshua 19:1-9. This arrangement was due to the relatively small size of the Simeonite tribe, which necessitated their integration into the larger and more powerful tribe of Judah.

Bethul, as part of the Simeonite inheritance, would have been located in the southern part of the land of Canaan. The exact location of Bethul is not definitively known today, as it is not one of the more prominent or frequently mentioned cities in the biblical narrative. However, its inclusion in the genealogical and territorial records underscores its role as part of the network of towns that supported the tribal structure of ancient Israel.

Cultural and Theological Significance:
While Bethul itself does not play a major role in the biblical narrative, its mention in the genealogical records highlights the importance of land and inheritance in the Israelite identity. The division of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel was a fulfillment of God's covenant promises to the patriarchs, particularly Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Each town and city within these tribal allotments contributed to the overall structure and function of Israelite society.

Theologically, the concept of a "House of God" resonates throughout the biblical text, from the patriarchal altars to the Tabernacle and, eventually, the Temple in Jerusalem. While Bethul may not have been a central religious site, its name serves as a reminder of the pervasive presence and worship of God in the daily lives of the Israelites.

Related Entries:
· Simeon, Tribe of
· Inheritance, Tribal
· Judah, Territory of
· Genealogies in the Bible
· Covenant, Abrahamic

References:
· 1 Chronicles 4:30
· Joshua 19:1-9 Bethul

(dweller in God) a town of Simeon in the south named with Eltolad and Hormah, (Joshua 19:4) called also Chesil and Bethuel. (Joshua 15:30; 1 Chronicles 4:30)

BETHUL

beth'-ul, be'-thul (bethul):

See BETHUEL; CHESIL.

1329. Bethul -- a place in Simeon
... 1328b, 1329. Bethul. 1330 . a place in Simeon. Transliteration: Bethul Phonetic
Spelling: (beth-ool') Short Definition: Bethul. Word Origin short. ...
/hebrew/1329.htm - 6kBethul (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia BETHUL. beth'-ul, be'-thul (bethul): See BETHUEL;
CHESIL. Multi-Version Concordance Bethul (1 Occurrence). ...
/b/bethul.htm - 6k

Bethuel (10 Occurrences)
... He appears in person only once (24:50). (2.) A southern city of Judah (1 Chronicles
4:30); called also Bethul (Joshua 19:4) and Bethel (12:16; 1 Samuel 30:27). ...
/b/bethuel.htm - 11k

Chesil (1 Occurrence)
... Ungodly, a town in the south of Judah (Joshua 15:30); probably the same as Bethul
(19:4) and Bethuel (1 Chronicles 4:30); now Khelasa. Int. ...
/c/chesil.htm - 7k

Hormah (9 Occurrences)
... in Joshua 15:30 between Chesil and Ziklag, among the uttermost cities toward the
border of Edom in the South; and in Joshua 19:4 between Bethul and Ziklag ...
/h/hormah.htm - 12k

Bethu'el (10 Occurrences)
Bethu'el. Bethuel, Bethu'el. Bethul . ... 1 Chronicles 4:30 and at Bethuel, and
at Hormah, and at Ziklag; (See RSV). Bethuel, Bethu'el. Bethul . Reference
/b/bethu'el.htm - 8k

Elto'lad (2 Occurrences)
... Joshua 15:30 and Eltolad, and Chesil, and Hormah; (See RSV). Joshua 19:4 and Eltolad,
and Bethul, and Hormah; (See RSV). Eltolad, Elto'lad. Elude . ...
/e/elto'lad.htm - 6k

Eltolad (2 Occurrences)
... Joshua 15:30 Eltolad, Chesil, Hormah, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV).
Joshua 19:4 Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/e/eltolad.htm - 7k

Bethulia

/b/bethulia.htm - 7k

Bethel (67 Occurrences)
... was taken by Vespasian as he approached Jerusalem (BJ, IV, ix, 9). (2) A city in
Judah which in 1 Samuel 30:27 is called Bethel; in Joshua 19:4 Bethul; and in ...
/b/bethel.htm - 38k

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