The Beerothites were the inhabitants of Beeroth, one of the four cities of the Gibeonite confederation. Beeroth is mentioned in the context of the covenant made with the Israelites during the conquest of Canaan. The Gibeonites, including the Beerothites, deceived Joshua and the leaders of Israel into making a peace treaty with them by pretending to be from a distant land (Joshua 9:3-15). This treaty was honored by the Israelites despite the deception, due to the solemn oath made before God.

Biblical References:

1. Joshua 9:17 : "So the Israelites set out and reached their cities on the third day. Their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim."

2. 2 Samuel 4:2-3 : "Now Saul’s son had two men who were leaders of raiding parties. One was named Baanah and the other Rechab, sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, a Benjamite from Beeroth, because Beeroth is considered part of Benjamin, and the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and have lived there as foreigners to this day."

The Beerothites are notably mentioned in the context of the political turmoil following the death of King Saul. Two Beerothites, Baanah and Rechab, are infamously known for murdering Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, in an attempt to gain favor with David (2 Samuel 4:5-8). However, David condemned their actions and had them executed for their treachery (2 Samuel 4:9-12).

Historical and Geographical Context:

Beeroth is identified with modern-day el-Bireh, located near Ramallah in the West Bank. It was part of the tribal allotment of Benjamin, as indicated in the biblical narrative. The Beerothites, along with the other Gibeonite cities, were integrated into Israelite society, albeit as servants, due to the covenant made under false pretenses (Joshua 9:21-27).

Cultural and Theological Significance:

The account of the Beerothites and the Gibeonite deception highlights themes of covenant faithfulness and the importance of oaths made before God. Despite the deceit, the Israelites honored their commitment, demonstrating the gravity of vows and the ethical standards expected of God's people. The narrative also underscores the complex interactions between the Israelites and the indigenous Canaanite populations during the period of conquest and settlement.

The Beerothites' inclusion in the biblical record serves as a reminder of the diverse groups that were part of the ancient Near Eastern landscape and the intricate history of Israel's formation as a nation under God's covenant.886. Beerothi -- inhab. of Beeroth
... Beerothite. Word Origin from Beeroth Definition inhab. of Beeroth NASB Word
Usage Beerothite (4), Beerothites (1). Beerothite. Patrial ...
/hebrew/886.htm - 6kBeerothites (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Beerothites (1 Occurrence). 2 Samuel 4:3 and the Beerothites
fled to Gittaim, and have lived as foreigners there until this day). ...
/b/beerothites.htm - 6k

Gittaim (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Two wine-presses, (2 Samuel 4:3; Nehemiah 11:33), a
town probably in Benjamin to which the Beerothites fled. Int. ...
/g/gittaim.htm - 7k

Beeroth (7 Occurrences)
... in deceiving Israel, and in making a covenant with them (Joshua 9:3). Apparently
they were Hivites (Joshua 9:7). The occasion on which the Beerothites fled to ...
/b/beeroth.htm - 11k

Be-er'othites (1 Occurrence)
Be-er'othites. Beerothites, Be-er'othites. Beersheba . ... 2 Samuel 4:3 and the
Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and have lived as foreigners there until this day). ...
/b/be-er'othites.htm - 6k

Gitta'im (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Gitta'im (1 Occurrence). 2 Samuel 4:3 and the Beerothites
fled to Gittaim, and have been sojourners there until this day. (See RSV). ...
/g/gitta'im.htm - 6k

Rechab (13 Occurrences)
... execution (2 Samuel 4:9-12), as in the case of the Amalekite, who asserted that
he had killed Saul (2 Samuel 1). For some reason the Beerothites left their own ...
/r/rechab.htm - 15k

Rechabites (4 Occurrences)
... execution (2 Samuel 4:9-12), as in the case of the Amalekite, who asserted that
he had killed Saul (2 Samuel 1). For some reason the Beerothites left their own ...
/r/rechabites.htm - 13k

Be-er'othite (2 Occurrences)
Be-er'othite. Beerothite, Be-er'othite. Beerothites . Multi-Version Concordance ...
Beerothite, Be-er'othite. Beerothites . Reference Bible.
/b/be-er'othite.htm - 7k

Sojourners (37 Occurrences)
... (ASV RSV). 2 Samuel 4:3 And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners
there until this day.) (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV). ...
/s/sojourners.htm - 18k

Foreigners (76 Occurrences)
... DBY NAS RSV). 2 Samuel 4:3 and the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and have
lived as foreigners there until this day). (WEB). 2 Samuel ...
/f/foreigners.htm - 29k

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