Topical Encyclopedia Beth-anath is a location mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the context of the tribal allotments in the Book of Joshua. The name "Beth-anath" is believed to mean "house of response" or "house of Anath," with Anath being a Canaanite goddess of war and fertility. This suggests that the town may have originally been a center for the worship of this deity before the Israelite conquest.Biblical References: 1. Joshua 19:38 : "Iron, Migdal-el, Horem, Beth-anath, and Beth-shemesh. There were nineteen cities, along with their villages." This verse lists Beth-anath as one of the towns within the territory allotted to the tribe of Naphtali. The inclusion of Beth-anath in this list indicates its significance as part of the inheritance given to Naphtali, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. 2. Judges 1:33 : "Naphtali failed to drive out the residents of Beth-shemesh or the people living in Beth-anath, so the Canaanites continued to dwell among them and were forced into labor." This passage highlights the incomplete conquest of the land by the tribe of Naphtali. The Israelites were unable to fully expel the Canaanite inhabitants of Beth-anath, resulting in a coexistence where the Canaanites were subjected to forced labor. This situation reflects the broader theme of Israel's struggle to fully possess the Promised Land due to incomplete obedience to God's commands. Historical and Archaeological Context: Beth-anath is identified with the modern site of Bi'ina, located in the region of Upper Galilee. Archaeological evidence suggests that the area was inhabited during the Bronze and Iron Ages, consistent with the biblical timeline. The presence of Canaanite religious artifacts in the region supports the notion that Beth-anath was a center of Canaanite worship prior to Israelite settlement. Theological Significance: The account of Beth-anath serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by the Israelites in their conquest of Canaan. The failure to fully drive out the Canaanite inhabitants, as seen in Beth-anath, is indicative of a recurring theme in the Book of Judges, where partial obedience leads to ongoing struggles and influences from surrounding pagan cultures. This narrative underscores the importance of complete faithfulness to God's commands and the consequences of compromise. Cultural and Religious Influence: The mention of Beth-anath in the context of Canaanite worship practices highlights the cultural and religious influences that the Israelites encountered in the Promised Land. The persistence of Canaanite religious practices, as seen in Beth-anath, posed a significant challenge to the Israelites' covenantal relationship with Yahweh. The presence of such influences necessitated a continual call to purity and devotion to the one true God, as emphasized throughout the Old Testament. In summary, Beth-anath is a noteworthy location within the biblical narrative, illustrating the complexities of Israel's settlement in Canaan and the ongoing struggle between faithfulness to God and the influences of surrounding cultures. Easton's Bible Dictionary House of response, one of the fenced cities of Naphtali (Joshua 19:38). It is perhaps identical with the modern village `Ainata, 6 miles west of Kedesh. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia BETH-ANATHbeth-a'-nath (beth`anath; Bainathath): A city in the territory of Naphtali, named with Horem and Bethshemesh (Joshua 19:38 Judges 1:33). It is represented by the modern village Ainatha, about 12 miles Northwest of Cafed. The name signifies the "house" or "temple" of Anath, a goddess of the Canaanites. Strong's Hebrew 1043. Beth-anath -- "temple of Anat," a place in NaphtaliBeth-anath. 1042, 1043. Beth-anath. 1044 . "temple of Anat," a place in Naphtali. Transliteration: Beth-anath Phonetic Spelling ... /hebrew/1043.htm - 6k Library Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest Thesaurus Bethanath (2 Occurrences)... beth-a'-nath (beth`anath; Bainathath): A city in the territory of Naphtali, named with Horem and Bethshemesh (Joshua 19:38 Judges 1:33 ...Bethanath (2 Occurrences). ... /b/bethanath.htm - 7k Beth-anath (2 Occurrences) Bethshemesh (19 Occurrences) Beth-shemesh (19 Occurrences) Beth-she'mesh (20 Occurrences) Anath (4 Occurrences) Shemesh (24 Occurrences) Beth (115 Occurrences) Naphtalites (1 Occurrence) Naph'tali (47 Occurrences) Resources What can we learn from the tribe of Naphtali? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Shamgar? | GotQuestions.org Does the Bible say anything about Russia in relation to the end times? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Beth-anath (2 Occurrences)Joshua 19:38 Judges 1:33 Subtopics Beth-Anath: A Fortified City of Naphtali Related Terms Beth-she'mesh (20 Occurrences) |
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