Beth-shan, also known as Beth-shean, is an ancient city located in the Jordan Valley, strategically positioned at the junction of the Jezreel and Jordan Valleys. This city holds significant historical and biblical importance, serving as a key site in various biblical narratives.

Geographical and Historical Context

Beth-shan is situated approximately 15 miles south of the Sea of Galilee and about 4 miles west of the Jordan River. Its location made it a vital military and trade center throughout ancient times. The city is identified with the modern archaeological site of Tell el-Husn, where extensive excavations have revealed layers of occupation dating back to the Bronze Age.

Biblical References

Beth-shan is mentioned several times in the Old Testament. In the Book of Joshua, it is listed among the cities within the territory allotted to the tribe of Manasseh, although it was not initially conquered by the Israelites. Joshua 17:11 states, "Within Issachar and Asher, Manasseh also had Beth-shean and its towns, Ibleam and its towns, the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, the inhabitants of En-dor and its towns, the inhabitants of Taanach and its towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and its towns, the three of Napheth."

The city's most notable biblical event occurs in the narrative of King Saul's death. After Saul and his sons were defeated by the Philistines on Mount Gilboa, their bodies were taken to Beth-shan. 1 Samuel 31:10-12 recounts, "They put his armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths and hung his body on the wall of Beth-shan. When the people of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, all their valiant men set out, journeyed all night, and retrieved the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan. They went to Jabesh and burned them there."

Archaeological Significance

Archaeological findings at Beth-shan have uncovered a wealth of information about its history and culture. Excavations have revealed Canaanite, Egyptian, Israelite, and Hellenistic influences, reflecting the city's diverse cultural interactions over the centuries. Notably, the discovery of Egyptian artifacts indicates that Beth-shan was an important administrative center during the Egyptian New Kingdom period.

Cultural and Religious Influence

Beth-shan's strategic location and fertile surroundings contributed to its prominence in trade and military endeavors. The city's religious significance is underscored by its mention in connection with the Philistine worship of Ashtoreth, as noted in the account of Saul's death. This highlights the city's role as a center of pagan worship during certain periods.

Conclusion

Beth-shan's rich history and biblical associations make it a site of considerable interest for both biblical scholars and archaeologists. Its role in the narratives of the Israelite conquest and the tragic end of King Saul underscores its importance in the biblical landscape.BETH-SHEAN; BETH-SHAN

beth-she'-an, beth'-shan (beth-shan, or [beth-she'an]; in Apocrypha Baithsan or Bethsa): A city in the territory of Issachar assigned to Manasseh, out of which the Canaanites were not driven (Joshua 17:11 Judges 1:27); in the days of Israel's strength they were put to taskwork (Judges 1:28). They doubtless were in league with the Philistines who after Israel's defeat on Gilboa exposed the bodies of Saul and his sons on the wall of the city (1 Samuel 31:7), whence they were rescued by the men of Jabesh, who remembered the earlier kindness of the king (1 Samuel 31:7 2 Samuel 21:12). In 1 Kings 4:12 the name applies to the district in which the city stands. It was called Scythopolis by the Greeks. This may be connected with the invasion of Palestine by the Scythians who, according to George Syncellus, "overran Palestine and took possession of Beisan." This may be the invasion noticed by Herodotus, circa 600 B.C. (i.104-6). Here Tryphon failed in his first attempt to take Jonathan by treachery (1 Maccabees 12:40). It fell to John Hyrcanus, but was taken from the Jews by Pompey. It was rebuilt by Gabinius (Ant., XIV, v, 3), and became an important member of the league of the "ten cities" (BJ, III, ix, 7). The impiousness of the inhabitants is painted in dark colors by Josephus (Vita, 6; BJ, II, xviii, 3); and the Mishna speaks of it as a center of idol worship (`Abhodhah Zarah, i.4). Later it was the seat of a bishop.

It is represented by the modern Beisan, in the throat of the Vale of Jezreel where it falls into the Jordan valley, on the southern side of the stream from `Ain Jalud. The ruins of the ancient city are found on the plain, and on the great mound where probably stood the citadel. Between the town and the stretch of marsh land to the South runs the old road from East to West up the Vale of Jezreel, uniting in Esdraelon with the great caravan road from North to South.

W. Ewing

1052. Beth Shean -- "place of quiet," a place in Manasseh, West of ...
... Word Origin from bayith and shaan Definition "place of quiet," a place in Manasseh,
W. of the Jordan NASB Word Usage Beth-shan (3), Beth-shean (6). ...
/hebrew/1052.htm - 6k

The End of Self-Will
... body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and came ... and
dishonoured body hangs rotting in the sun on the walk of Bethshan, while David ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the end of self-will.htm

The Death of Two Brave Warriors
... And they put his armor in the temple of Ashtarte and fastened his body
on the wall of Bethshan. When the inhabitants of Jabesh in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the death of two brave.htm

Demonstration xvii. --Of Christ the Son of God.
... battle with the Philistines, and if they should say that they pierced his hands
and his feet, when they fastened up his body on the wall of Bethshan; yet it ...
/.../aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xvii of christ the son.htm

The Grave of John, and Another Grave
... of Jabesh-Gilead, who travelled all night through the country infested by the
Philistines to rescue the bodies of Saul and his sons from the temple of Bethshan ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xv the grave of john.htm

The Maccabees.
... enough to take the castle on Mount Zion; but he built strong walls round the Temple,
so that it too became a fortress, and he then went to Bethshan to defend ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xviii the maccabees.htm

Some Towns Upon the Very Limits of the Land. Out of the Jerusalem ...
... Of Caphar Tsemach, there is mention also in the place first cited, col.3, in
these words: "Rabbi looseth Bethshan. Rabbi looseth Caesarea. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 95 some towns upon.htm

How Jonathan was Slain by Treachery; and How Thereupon the Jews ...
... and then to set about his design relating to Antiochus; but he judging it best to
take him off by deceit and treachery, came from Antioch to Bethshan, which by ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how jonathan was.htm

General Council of Nic??a.
... Cf. Book II. Chap. 6. Patrophilus, bishop of Scythopolis, the Bethshan of
Scripture, was an ardent and persistent Arian. Theodoret ...
/.../chapter vi general council of nicaea.htm

The History of Saul
... it might be showed in the temple of their idols, and unto the people; and set up
his arms in the temple of Ashtaroth, and hung his body on the wall of Bethshan ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of saul.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... All the fortresses commanding the passes of Tabor and Carmel, Megiddo, Taanach,
Ibleam, Jezreel, Endor, and Bethshan remained inviolate, and formed as it were ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Bethshan (3 Occurrences)
... beth-she'-an, beth'-shan (beth-shan, or [beth-she'an]; in Apocrypha Baithsan or
Bethsa): A city in the territory of Issachar assigned to ...Bethshan (3 Occurrences ...
/b/bethshan.htm - 9k

Beth-shan (3 Occurrences)
Beth-shan. Bethshan, Beth-shan. Bethshean . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BETH-SHEAN; BETH-SHAN. ... Bethshan, Beth-shan. Bethshean . Reference Bible.
/b/beth-shan.htm - 9k

Bethshean (5 Occurrences)
... The name is found in an abridged form, Bethshan, in 1 Samuel 31:10, 12 and 2 Samuel
21:12. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BETH-SHEAN; BETH-SHAN. ...
/b/bethshean.htm - 11k

Beth-shean (5 Occurrences)
... The name is found in an abridged form, Bethshan, in 1 Samuel 31:10, 12 and 2 Samuel
21:12. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BETH-SHEAN; BETH-SHAN. ...
/b/beth-shean.htm - 11k

Shan (8 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 1 Samuel 31:10 They put his armor in the house of the Ashtaroth;
and they fastened his body to the wall of BethShan. ...
/s/shan.htm - 9k

Jabeshgilead (12 Occurrences)
... bodies of Saul and of his three sons from the walls of Beth-shan, and after ... men of
Jabeshgilead, which had stolen them from the street of Bethshan, where the ...
/j/jabeshgilead.htm - 13k

Jabesh-gilead (12 Occurrences)
... A town on the east of Jordan, on the top of one of the green hills of Gilead, within
the limits of the half tribe of Manasseh, and in full view of Beth-shan. ...
/j/jabesh-gilead.htm - 13k

Jabesh (21 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 31:12 all the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body
of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of BethShan; and they came to ...
/j/jabesh.htm - 14k

Beth (115 Occurrences)
... NIV). 1 Samuel 31:10 They put his armor in the house of the Ashtaroth;
and they fastened his body to the wall of BethShan. (WEB ...
/b/beth.htm - 40k

Bodies (144 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 31:12 all the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body
of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of BethShan; and they came to ...
/b/bodies.htm - 37k

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