Beth-dagon is a biblical location mentioned in the Old Testament, associated with the worship of the Philistine deity Dagon. The name "Beth-dagon" translates to "house of Dagon," indicating its significance as a center for the worship of this god. Dagon was a major deity in the ancient Near East, often associated with grain and agriculture, and was revered by the Philistines and other Semitic peoples.

Biblical References:

1. Joshua 15:41 · In the division of the land among the tribes of Israel, Beth-dagon is listed as one of the towns in the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah. The verse states: "Gederoth, Beth-dagon, Naamah, and Makkedah—sixteen cities, along with their villages."

2. Joshua 19:27 · Beth-dagon is also mentioned in the context of the territory of the tribe of Asher. The passage describes the boundary of Asher's inheritance: "It then turned toward the sunrise to Beth-dagon, reached Zebulun and the Valley of Iphtah-el, and went north to Beth-emek and Neiel, extending to Cabul on the left."

Historical and Archaeological Context:

Beth-dagon's mention in the context of both Judah and Asher suggests that there may have been more than one location with this name, or that the site held significance across different regions. The presence of a town named after Dagon within Israelite territory highlights the cultural and religious interactions between the Israelites and their neighbors, particularly the Philistines.

Archaeological evidence of sites dedicated to Dagon has been found in various locations, though specific identification of Beth-dagon remains uncertain. The worship of Dagon was prominent in Philistine cities such as Ashdod and Gaza, where temples to Dagon are noted in biblical narratives (e.g., 1 Samuel 5:1-5).

Theological Significance:

The presence of Beth-dagon within the biblical narrative underscores the challenges faced by the Israelites in maintaining their distinct religious identity amidst surrounding pagan influences. The Israelites were repeatedly warned against adopting the idolatrous practices of their neighbors, as seen in numerous passages throughout the Old Testament.

The mention of Beth-dagon serves as a reminder of the spiritual battles faced by the Israelites, as they were called to remain faithful to Yahweh in a land filled with competing deities and religious practices. The biblical narrative consistently emphasizes the need for the Israelites to reject idolatry and uphold the worship of the one true God.

Cultural Influence:

The worship of Dagon and the existence of places like Beth-dagon reflect the broader cultural and religious landscape of the ancient Near East. The syncretism and interaction between different peoples and their deities were common, influencing the social and religious dynamics of the region.

Beth-dagon, as a site associated with Dagon, highlights the Philistine influence in the area and serves as a testament to the complex history of the Israelites' settlement in Canaan. The biblical account of Beth-dagon provides insight into the historical and spiritual context of the Israelite experience, as they navigated their covenant relationship with God amidst external pressures and internal challenges.Beth-Dagon

the house of corn, or of fish

House of Dagon.

(1.) A city in the low country or plain of Judah, near Philistia (Joshua 15:41); the modern Beit Degan, about 5 miles from Lydda.

(2.) A city near the south-east border of Asher (Joshua 19:27). It was a Philistine colony. It is identical with the modern ruined village of Tell D'auk.

BETH-DAGON

beth-da'-gon (bethdaghon; Bethdagon):

(1) A town in the Shephelah of Judah named with Gederoth, Naamah, and Makkedah (Joshua 15:41). It may be represented by the modern Beit Dijan, about 6 miles Southeast of Jaffa. This however is a modern site, and not in the Shephelah. Nearly 2 miles to the south is Khirbet Dajan, a Roman site. The connection in which it occurs leads us to expect a position farther Southeast

(2) A city on the border of Asher (Joshua 19:27) which Conder would identify with Tell D'auk, near the mouth of the Belus, in the plan of Acre.

The name seems to have been of frequent occurrence. There is a Beit Dejan about 6 miles East of Nablus, and Josephus speaks of a fortress called Dagon above Jericho (Ant., XII, viii, 1; BJ, I, ii, 3). This would seem to indicate a widespread worship of Dagon. But the name may mean "house of corn."

W. Ewing

1016. Beth-dagon -- "house of Dagon," two places in Palestine
Beth-dagon. 1015, 1016. Beth-dagon. 1017 . "house of Dagon," two places
in Palestine. Transliteration: Beth-dagon Phonetic Spelling ...
/hebrew/1016.htm - 6k

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... seat of war, but they did not arrive in time to save Zedekiah: Sennacherib razed
to the ground all his strongholds one after another, Beth-dagon, Joppa, Bene ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

Bethdagon (2 Occurrences)
...BETH-DAGON. beth-da'-gon (bethdaghon; Bethdagon): (1) A town in the Shephelah of
Judah named with Gederoth, Naamah, and Makkedah (Joshua 15:41). ...
/b/bethdagon.htm - 8k

Beth-dagon (2 Occurrences)
Beth-dagon. Bethdagon, Beth-dagon. Beth-da'gon . Easton's Bible Dictionary
House of Dagon. ... Bethdagon, Beth-dagon. Beth-da'gon . Reference Bible.
/b/beth-dagon.htm - 8k

Dagon (9 Occurrences)
... A god Dagon seems to have been worshipped by the Canaanites; see BETH-DAGON. LITERATURE
Commentaries on Judges and 1 Samuel; Winckler, Altoriental. ...
/d/dagon.htm - 12k

Dagon's (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Dagon's house. (1 Samuel 5:2), or Beth-dagon, as elsewhere
rendered (Joshua 15:41; 19:27), was the sanctuary or temple of Dagon. ...
/d/dagon's.htm - 7k

Beth-dagan
...BETH-DAGON. beth-da'-gon (bethdaghon; Bethdagon): (1) A town in the Shephelah of
Judah named with Gederoth, Naamah, and Makkedah (Joshua 15:41). ...
/b/beth-dagan.htm - 7k

Gederoth (2 Occurrences)
... GEDEROTH. ged'-e-roth, ge-de'-roth (gedheroth): A town in the Shephelah of Judah,
named with Kithlish, Beth-dagon, Naamah and Makkedah (Joshua 15:41). ...
/g/gederoth.htm - 7k

Bethdagan
...BETH-DAGON. beth-da'-gon (bethdaghon; Bethdagon): (1) A town in the Shephelah of
Judah named with Gederoth, Naamah, and Makkedah (Joshua 15:41). ...
/b/bethdagan.htm - 7k

Beth-da'gon (1 Occurrence)
Beth-da'gon. Beth-dagon, Beth-da'gon. Bethdiblathaim . ... Joshua 15:41 and Gederoth,
Beth-dagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah; sixteen cities with their villages. ...
/b/beth-da'gon.htm - 6k

Makkedah (8 Occurrences)
... Azekah to Makkedah. Azekah is not identified, but it is named with Gederoth,
Beth-dagon, and Naamah (Joshua 15:41). These are probably ...
/m/makkedah.htm - 12k

Beth (115 Occurrences)
... Joshua 15:41 Gederoth, BethDagon, Naamah, and Makkedah; sixteen cities with
their villages. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/b/beth.htm - 40k

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