Etymology and Meaning:
The name "Beth-aven" translates to "house of wickedness" or "house of vanity." This name is indicative of the spiritual and moral decline associated with the location, contrasting with its original name, Bethel, which means "house of God."

Biblical References:
Beth-aven is mentioned in several passages in the Old Testament, primarily in the context of idolatry and apostasy. It is often used as a derogatory term for Bethel after it became a center for idol worship.

· Joshua 7:2 : "Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, to the east of Bethel, and told them, 'Go up and spy out the region.' So the men went up and spied out Ai." This passage situates Beth-aven geographically, indicating its proximity to Ai and Bethel.

· 1 Samuel 13:5 : "Now the Philistines assembled to fight against Israel, with three thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven." Here, Beth-aven is mentioned in the context of a military encampment, highlighting its strategic location.

· Hosea 4:15 : "Though you prostitute yourself, O Israel, let not Judah become guilty. Do not go to Gilgal; do not go up to Beth-aven, and do not swear on oath, 'As surely as the LORD lives!'" In this prophetic rebuke, Beth-aven symbolizes Israel's unfaithfulness and idolatry, serving as a warning to Judah.

· Hosea 10:5 : "The people of Samaria will fear for the calf of Beth-aven. Indeed, its people will mourn for it, and its idolatrous priests will cry out over it, because its glory has departed from it." This verse underscores the idolatrous practices associated with Beth-aven, specifically the worship of the golden calf.

Historical and Theological Significance:
Beth-aven's transformation from Bethel, a place of divine encounter, to a symbol of idolatry and spiritual corruption, serves as a poignant reminder of Israel's covenantal unfaithfulness. The prophets, particularly Hosea, use Beth-aven as a metaphor for Israel's spiritual adultery, contrasting the worship of the one true God with the vain and empty practices of idol worship.

Theologically, Beth-aven represents the consequences of turning away from God and the inevitable judgment that follows. It serves as a call to repentance and a return to true worship, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant.

Geographical Context:
Beth-aven is located east of Bethel, near the border of the tribes of Benjamin and Ephraim. Its proximity to Bethel, a significant religious site, highlights the tragic shift from a place of divine revelation to one of idolatrous practices. The geographical references in the biblical text suggest that Beth-aven was a well-known location during the time of the Israelite monarchy and the prophetic ministries.

Cultural and Religious Context:
In the cultural and religious milieu of ancient Israel, Beth-aven's association with idol worship reflects the syncretism that plagued the nation. The worship of foreign gods and the adoption of pagan practices were persistent issues that the prophets vehemently opposed. Beth-aven, therefore, stands as a testament to the dangers of compromising one's faith and the need for steadfast devotion to the God of Israel.Beth-Aven

the house of vanity; of iniquity of trouble

Beth-Aven

A place and desert near Bethel on the east, Joshua 7:2; 18:12; 1 Samuel 13:5; 14:23. It seems to be reproachfully used at times for Bethel itself, after the golden calves were there set up, Hosea 4:15; 10:5: Beth-el meaning the house of God; and Beth-aven, the house of sin, or of an idol.

House of nothingness; i.e., "of idols", a place in the mountains of Benjamin, east of Bethel (Joshua 7:2; 18:12; 1 Samuel 13:5). In Hosea 4:15; 5:8; 10:5 it stands for "Bethel" (q.v.), and it is so called because it was no longer the "house of God," but "the house of idols," referring to the calves there worshipped. BETH-AVEN

beth-a'-ven (beth 'awen; Baithon, Baithaun): A place on the northern boundary of the territory of Benjamin (Joshua 18:12) East of Bethel, near Ai (Joshua 7:2), West of Michmash (1 Samuel 13:5; 1 Samuel 14:23). Beth-aven, "house of vanity," i.e. "idolatry," may possibly represent an original beth-'on, "house of wealth." Wilson (PEFS, 1869, 126) suggests Khirbet An, West of Michmash. The name is used in mockery for Bethel by Hosea (4:15; 10:5, 8, etc.; compare Amos 5:5).

1007b. Beth Aven -- "house of iniquity," a place in Benjamin
Beth Aven. 1007a, 1007b. Beth Aven. 1008 . "house of iniquity," a place in
Benjamin. Transliteration: Beth Aven Short Definition: Beth-aven. ...
/hebrew/1007b.htm - 5k

1007. Beyth 'Aven -- between
Beyth 'Aven. 1006b, 1007. Beyth 'Aven. 1007a . between. Transliteration: Beyth
'Aven Phonetic Spelling: (bayth aw'-ven) Short Definition: Beth-aven. Beth-aven ...
/hebrew/1007.htm - 5k

Beth-El. Beth-Aven.
... A Chorographical Century. Chapters 11-20 Chapter 20 Beth-el. Beth-aven. ...
do not a little trifle. Sometimes it is called Beth-aven. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 20 beth-el beth-aven.htm

'Fruit which is Death'
... thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.5. The inhabitants
of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Beth-aven: for the people ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/fruit which is death.htm

From the Talmud and Hebraica
... Chapter 19 The northern coast of Judea. Beth-horon. Chapter 20 Beth-el. Beth-aven.
A Chorographical Century. Chapters 21-30. Chapter 21 Jerusalem. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/

Friendship; Or, David and Jonathan
... little hints which shews that the story is true, written by a man who knew the
place"who had probably been in the great battle of Beth-aven, which followed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/david/sermon v friendship or david.htm

Achan's Sin, Israel's Defeat
... thing: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel.2. And
Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth-aven, on the east ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/achans sin israels defeat.htm

The Assyrian Captivity
... therefore it is not God: but the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces." "The
inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Beth-aven: for the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 23 the assyrian captivity.htm

"If So be that the Spirit of God Dwell in You. Now if any Man have ...
... All unclean affections, all beastly lusts, all earthly desires, all vain cogitations
get lodging in this house; the Bethel is become a Bethaven, the house of ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxiv if so be.htm

Of Orders.
... a kind of living images, having the name of priests, but very far from being really
so; such priests as those whom Jeroboam ordained in Beth-aven, taken from ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/luther/first principles of the reformation/of orders.htm

Concerning the Sacrament of Penance
... Wherefore I would warn these princes of Babylon and bishops of Beth-aven to abstain
from reserving cases of any kind whatever, but to allow the freest ...
/.../first principles of the reformation/concerning the sacrament of penance.htm

Whether There Can be any Suitable Cause for the Sacraments of the ...
... and this was, perhaps, because they worshipped heifers after the custom of Egypt,
according to Osee 10:5: "(They) have worshipped the kine of Bethaven." And in ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be any 2.htm

Bethaven (6 Occurrences)
...Beth-aven, "house of vanity," ie "idolatry," may possibly represent an original
beth-'on, "house of wealth." Wilson (PEFS, 1869, 126 ...Bethaven (6 Occurrences). ...
/b/bethaven.htm - 9k

Beth-aven (6 Occurrences)
Beth-aven. Bethaven, Beth-aven. Beth-a'ven . Easton's Bible Dictionary ... (ASV
BBE DBY JPS WBS YLT NAS). Bethaven, Beth-aven. Beth-a'ven . Reference Bible
/b/beth-aven.htm - 9k

Aven (10 Occurrences)
... He also calls it Beth-aven, ie, "the house of vanity" (4:15), on account of
the golden calves Jeroboam had set up there (1 Kings 12:28). ...
/a/aven.htm - 11k

Beth-a'ven (6 Occurrences)
Beth-a'ven. Beth-aven, Beth-a'ven. Bethazmaveth . ... (See RSV). 1 Samuel 14:23
So the LORD saved Israel that day; and the battle passed on as far as Beth-aven. ...
/b/beth-a'ven.htm - 8k

Ai (32 Occurrences)
... It lay to the east of Bethel, "beside Beth-aven." The spot which is most probably
the site of this ancient city is Haiyan, 2 miles east from Bethel. ...
/a/ai.htm - 21k

Bethel (67 Occurrences)
... seats of the worship of the golden calf (1 Kings 12:28-33; 13:1). Hence the prophet
Hosea (Hosea 4:15; 5:8; 10:5, 8) calls it in contempt Beth-aven, ie, "house ...
/b/bethel.htm - 38k

Beth (115 Occurrences)
... Joshua 7:2 Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside BethAven, on the
east side of Bethel, and spoke to them, saying, "Go up and spy out the land ...
/b/beth.htm - 40k

6000 (1 Occurrence)
... and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude:
and they came up, and encamped in Michmash, eastward of BethAven. ...
/num/6000.htm - 6k

Viewed (9 Occurrences)
... Joshua 7:2 And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Bethaven, on
the east of Bethel, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. ...
/v/viewed.htm - 9k

Northern (18 Occurrences)
... went up to the side of Jericho on the north, and went up through the hill-country
westward; and the goings out thereof were at the wilderness of Beth-aven. ...
/n/northern.htm - 12k

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