Etymology and Meaning:
Beth-zur, meaning "House of the Rock" or "House of the Fortress," is a significant biblical location mentioned in the Old Testament. The name reflects its strategic importance and fortified nature.

Biblical References:
Beth-zur is first mentioned in the context of the tribal allotments in the Book of Joshua. It is listed as one of the towns in the hill country of Judah: "Halhul, Beth-zur, Gedor" (Joshua 15:58). This indicates its inclusion within the territory assigned to the tribe of Judah.

Historical and Geographical Significance:
Beth-zur is located approximately 4 miles north of Hebron and about 20 miles south of Jerusalem. Its position on a hill made it a strategic military site, serving as a defensive stronghold in various historical periods. The town's fortifications are noted in the biblical narrative, underscoring its role as a protective bastion for the surrounding region.

Role in Biblical History:
During the reign of King Rehoboam, Beth-zur was fortified as part of his efforts to strengthen the defenses of Judah against potential invasions. 2 Chronicles 11:5-10 records, "Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem and built up cities for defense in Judah...Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam." This highlights the town's continued military importance during the divided monarchy.

Beth-zur also played a role during the Maccabean Revolt. It was a site of conflict between the Jewish forces led by Judas Maccabeus and the Seleucid Empire. The town's fortifications were utilized in the struggle for Jewish independence, as recorded in the historical books of the Maccabees, though these are not part of the Protestant canon.

Archaeological Insights:
Archaeological excavations at the site of Beth-zur have uncovered remains of ancient fortifications, including walls and towers, which corroborate the biblical accounts of its strategic military significance. These findings provide tangible evidence of the town's role as a fortified city throughout various periods of Israel's history.

Theological Implications:
Beth-zur's mention in the Bible serves as a reminder of the importance of strategic planning and defense in the life of ancient Israel. It reflects the broader biblical theme of God providing protection and security for His people, often through practical means such as fortified cities. The town's history also illustrates the recurring biblical motif of conflict and deliverance, as seen in the Maccabean struggle for freedom.

Modern Identification:
Today, the site of ancient Beth-zur is identified with the modern archaeological site of Khirbet et-Tubeiqa. The location continues to be of interest to archaeologists and biblical scholars seeking to understand the historical and cultural context of the biblical narrative.Beth-Zur

house of a rock

BETH-ZUR

beth'-zur (beth-tsur; Baith-sour, "house of rock"; less probably "house of the god Zur"):

(1) Mentioned (Joshua 15:58) as near Halhul and Gedor in the hill country of Judah; fortified by Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 11:7). In Nehemiah 3:16 mention is made of "Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of half the district of Beth-zur." During the Maccabean wars it (Bethsura) came into great importance (1 Maccabees 4:29, 61; 6:7, 26, 31, 49, 50; 9:52; 10:14; 0.503472222; 14:7, 33). Josephus describes it as the strongest place in all Judea (Ant., XIII, v, 6). It was inhabited in the days of Eusebius and Jerome.

(2) It is the ruined site Belt Cur, near the main road from Jerusalem to Hebron, and some 4 miles North of the latter. Its importance lay in its natural strength, on a hilltop dominating the highroad, and also in its guarding the one southerly approach for a hostile army by the Vale of Elah to the Judean plateau. The site today is conspicuous from a distance through the presence of a ruined medieval tower. (See PEF, III, 311, Sh XXI).

E. W. G. Masterman

1049. Beth-tsur -- "house of a rock," a place in Judah
... Word Origin from bayith and tsur Definition "house of a rock," a place in
Judah NASB Word Usage Beth-zur (3), Bethzur (1). Beth-zur. ...
/hebrew/1049.htm - 6k

Concerning Rehoboam, and How God Inflicted Punishment Upon Him for ...
... the son of Solomon, who, as we said before, was king of the two tribes, built strong
and large cities, Bethlehem, and Etare, and Tekoa, and Bethzur, and Shoco ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 concerning rehoboam and.htm

A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.
... yet been identified. The name is perhaps but a scribal corruption of Bethlehem
or of Bethzur further to the south. The other towns ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xii a nations struggle.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... The grottoes of Palestine proper, at Bethzur, at Gilgal near Jericho, and at Tibneh,
have been the subject of keen controversy ever since their discovery. ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... [2814] Next turning to the right she passed from Bethzur [2815] to Eshcol which
means "a cluster of grapes." It was hence that the spies brought back that ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... 2 Chronicles 11:6-10, where we find a list of the towns fortified by Rehoboam:
Bethlehem, Etam, Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam, Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, Adoraim ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Bethzur (4 Occurrences)
... Chronicles 11:7). In Nehemiah 3:16 mention is made of "Nehemiah the son of Azbuk,
the ruler of half the district of Beth-zur." During the ...Bethzur (4 Occurrences ...
/b/bethzur.htm - 9k

Beth-zur (4 Occurrences)
Beth-zur. Bethzur, Beth-zur. Betimes . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ... (ASV
BBE DBY JPS WBS YLT NAS RSV). Bethzur, Beth-zur. Betimes . Reference Bible
/b/beth-zur.htm - 8k

Zur (9 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Joshua 15:58 Halhul, BethZur,
Gedor, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). 1 ...
/z/zur.htm - 10k

Gedor (7 Occurrences)
... ge'-dor (gedhor; Codex Vaticanus, Geddor, Codex Alexandrinus, Gedor): (1) A town
in the mountains of Judah, named with Halhul and Beth-zur (Joshua 15:58). ...
/g/gedor.htm - 10k

Maon (7 Occurrences)
... Nabal, the great flockmaster (1 Samuel 25:2). In the genealogical list of 1 Chronicles
2, Maon stands as the "son" of Shammai and the "father" of Beth-zur (2:44 ...
/m/maon.htm - 12k

Territory (140 Occurrences)
... is the great Vale of Elah (Wady es Cunt), to guard the highest parts of which (now
the Wady es Cur) was built the powerful fortress of Beth-zur (2 Chronicles 11 ...
/t/territory.htm - 56k

Betimes (17 Occurrences)

/b/betimes.htm - 13k

Beth (115 Occurrences)
... YLT NAS RSV NIV). Joshua 15:58 Halhul, BethZur, Gedor, (WEB KJV JPS ASV
BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Joshua 15:59 Maarath, Beth ...
/b/beth.htm - 40k

Halhul (1 Occurrence)
... hal'-hul (chalchul): A city in the hill country of Judah (Joshua 15:58), "Halhul,
Beth-zur and Gedor." It is without doubt the modern Chalchul, a village on a ...
/h/halhul.htm - 8k

Zuriel (1 Occurrence)
... 320), and bartsur, in a Zinjirli inscription of the 8th century BC (Panammu Inscr.,
1. 1), and that possibly the Old Testament place-name "Beth-zur" should be ...
/z/zuriel.htm - 8k

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