Topical Encyclopedia Geographical Location: Beth-she'an, also known as Beit She'an, is an ancient city located in the northern part of modern-day Israel. It is situated in the Jordan Valley, approximately 15 miles south of the Sea of Galilee and near the junction of the Jezreel Valley and the Jordan Valley. The city is strategically positioned at the crossroads of major trade routes, making it a significant location throughout biblical history. Historical Significance: Beth-she'an holds a prominent place in biblical history and archaeology. It is first mentioned in the Bible in the context of the conquest of Canaan. The city was originally a Canaanite settlement and later became a Philistine stronghold. In the Book of Joshua, Beth-she'an is listed among the cities that the Israelites failed to capture during their initial conquest of the Promised Land (Joshua 17:11-12): "Within Issachar and Asher, Manasseh also had Beth-shean and its villages, Ibleam and its villages, the inhabitants of Dor and its villages, the inhabitants of En-dor and its villages, the inhabitants of Taanach and its villages, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and its villages, the three cities of Naphoth. But the descendants of Manasseh were unable to occupy these cities, because the Canaanites were determined to stay in this land." Philistine Control and Saul's Death: Beth-she'an is notably mentioned in the context of King Saul's death. After the battle on Mount Gilboa, where Saul and his sons were killed by the Philistines, the bodies of Saul and his sons were taken to Beth-she'an. The Philistines desecrated Saul's body by hanging it on the walls of the city (1 Samuel 31:10-12): "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 the bodies there." Israelite Control and Solomon's Reign: Under King David and later King Solomon, Beth-she'an came under Israelite control. During Solomon's reign, the city was part of the administrative district governed by Baana son of Ahilud (1 Kings 4:12): "Baana son of Ahilud in Taanach, Megiddo, and all Beth-shean next to Zarethan below Jezreel, from Beth-shean to Abel-meholah, as far as Jokmeam." Archaeological Discoveries: Beth-she'an is one of the most extensively excavated sites in Israel, revealing layers of occupation from various periods, including Canaanite, Egyptian, Israelite, and Roman. The archaeological findings include a well-preserved Roman theater, bathhouses, and a colonnaded street, highlighting the city's importance during the Roman and Byzantine periods. Cultural and Religious Influence: Throughout its history, Beth-she'an was a melting pot of cultures and religions. The city's strategic location made it a hub for trade and cultural exchange. It was influenced by Canaanite, Egyptian, Philistine, Israelite, and later Greco-Roman cultures. The presence of various temples and religious artifacts indicates the city's diverse religious practices over the centuries. Beth-she'an's rich history and archaeological significance continue to provide valuable insights into the ancient Near East and the biblical narrative. Its mention in the Bible underscores its importance as a site of both conflict and cultural convergence. Concordance Beth-she'an (5 Occurrences)Joshua 17:11 Joshua 17:16 Judges 1:27 1 Kings 4:12 1 Chronicles 7:29 Thesaurus Beth-she'an (5 Occurrences)Beth-she'an. Beth-shean, Beth-she'an. Bethshemesh . Multi-Version Concordance Beth-she'an (5 Occurrences). Joshua 17:11 And Manasseh ... /b/beth-she'an.htm - 8k Beth-shean (5 Occurrences) Beth-shan (3 Occurrences) Bethshean (5 Occurrences) Bethshan (3 Occurrences) Bethshemesh (19 Occurrences) Megid'do (12 Occurrences) Persisted (8 Occurrences) Ta'a-nach (1 Occurrence) Manas'seh (123 Occurrences) Resources Does the Bible say anything about Russia in relation to the end times? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from the tribe of Naphtali? | GotQuestions.org What is the significance of Bethel in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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