Geographical Location:
Bethshean, also known as Beit She'an, is an ancient city located in the northern part of Israel, in the Jordan Valley. It is situated approximately 15 miles south of the Sea of Galilee and about 4 miles west of the Jordan River. The city is strategically positioned at the crossroads of the Jezreel Valley and the Jordan Valley, making it a significant location for trade and military purposes throughout history.

Biblical References:
Bethshean is mentioned several times in the Bible, primarily in the context of its role in Israel's history and its interactions with neighboring peoples. In the Book of Joshua, Bethshean is listed among the cities that the Israelites failed to conquer during their initial settlement in the Promised Land. 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 cities of Naphoth."

The city is perhaps most famously known for its association with the death of King Saul. After Saul and his sons were killed by the Philistines on Mount Gilboa, their bodies were taken to Bethshean. 1 Samuel 31:10-12 recounts, "They put his armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths and fastened his body to 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."

Historical Significance:
Bethshean's location made it a focal point for various civilizations, including the Egyptians, Canaanites, Philistines, and Israelites. Archaeological excavations have revealed layers of occupation, indicating its long-standing importance. The city was part of the Egyptian empire during the Late Bronze Age, and later, it became a Philistine stronghold, as evidenced by the biblical account of Saul's death.

During the period of the United Monarchy, Bethshean was incorporated into the kingdom of Israel. Under King Solomon, the city was part of the administrative district system, as noted in 1 Kings 4:12, which mentions Bethshean as part of the district governed by Baana son of Ahilud.

Cultural and Religious Context:
Bethshean was a center of pagan worship, as indicated by the presence of temples dedicated to various deities, including the Ashtoreths. The city's religious practices often conflicted with the monotheistic worship of Yahweh, which the Israelites were commanded to uphold. The presence of Saul's armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths highlights the cultural and religious tensions between the Israelites and the surrounding peoples.

Archaeological Discoveries:
Modern archaeological efforts have uncovered significant remains from various periods of Bethshean's history. These include a well-preserved Roman theater, bathhouses, and streets, which testify to the city's prosperity during the Roman and Byzantine periods. The tell, or ancient mound, of Bethshean contains remnants from earlier periods, including Canaanite and Egyptian artifacts.

Modern Relevance:
Today, Bethshean is a national park and a popular tourist destination in Israel. The site offers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of ancient Near Eastern history and provides valuable insights into the biblical narrative. Visitors can explore the extensive ruins and appreciate the city's historical and cultural significance as a testament to the complex interactions between the Israelites and their neighbors.Bethshean

(house of rest), or in Samuel, BETHSHAN, a city which belonged to Manasseh, (1 Chronicles 7:29) though within the limits of Issachar (Joshua 17:11) and therefore on the west of Jordan. Comp. 1 Macc. 5:62. In later times it was called Scythopolis. 2 Macc. 12:29. The place is still known as Beisan . It lies in the Ghor or Jordan valley, about twelve miles south of the Sea of Galilee and four miles west of the Jordan.

House of security or rest, a city which belonged to Manasseh (1 Chronicles 7:29), on the west of Jordan. The bodies of Saul and his sons were fastened to its walls. In Solomon's time it gave its name to a district (1 Kings 4:12). The name is found in an abridged form, Bethshan, in 1 Samuel 31:10, 12 and 2 Samuel 21:12. It is on the road from Jerusalem to Damascus, about 5 miles from the Jordan, and 14 from the south end of the Lake of Gennesaret. After the Captivity it was called Scythopolis, i.e., "the city of the Scythians," who about B.C. 640 came down from the steppes of Southern Russia and settled in different places in Syria. It is now called Beisan. 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

Journey to Jerusalem. Ten Lepers. Concerning the Kingdom.
... He then turned eastward along that border down the wady Bethshean which separates
the two provinces, and crossed the Jordan into Per??a, where we soon find him ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xcv journey to jerusalem ten.htm

The Story of the Baptist, from his Last Testimony to Jesus to his ...
... Ancient tradition placed the latter a few miles south of Scythopolis or Bethshean,
on the borders of Galilee, or rather, the Decapolis, and Samaria. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxviii the story of.htm

A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.
... Their life centered about certain important cities like Megiddo on the southwestern
side and Bethshean on the eastern side of the Plain of Esdraelon. ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xii a nations struggle.htm

In Jud??a and through Samaria - a Sketch of Samaritan History and ...
... But the oldest tradition, which places it a few miles to the south of Bethshean
(Scythopolis), on the border of Samaria and Galilee, has this in its favour ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii in judaea and.htm

Appendix v. Rabbinic Theology and Literature
... III. Sivan. 1. On the 17th Sivan the tower of Zur was taken. 2. On the15th
and 16th men of Bethshean and of the plain were exiled. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix v rabbinic theology and.htm

Bethshean (5 Occurrences)
... to South. W. Ewing. Multi-Version Concordance Bethshean (5 Occurrences). Joshua
17:11 And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Bethshean...
/b/bethshean.htm - 11k

Zartanah (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Kings 4:12 Baana the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo, and
all Bethshean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to ...
/z/zartanah.htm - 7k

Jokneam (5 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 4:12 Baana the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo, and
all Bethshean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to ...
/j/jokneam.htm - 9k

Decapolis (3 Occurrences)
... These cities were Scythopolis, ie, "city of the Scythians", (ancient Bethshean,
the only one of the ten cities on the west of Jordan), Hippos, Gadara, Pella ...
/d/decapolis.htm - 10k

Pertained (18 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 4:12 Baana the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo, and
all Bethshean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to ...
/p/pertained.htm - 12k

Abelmeholah (3 Occurrences)
... (KJV). 1 Kings 4:12 Baana the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo,
and all Bethshean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to ...
/a/abelmeholah.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

Beth-shean (5 Occurrences)
Beth-shean. Bethshean, Beth-shean. Beth-she'an . Easton's Bible Dictionary ...
(ASV BBE DBY JPS WBS YLT NAS). Bethshean, Beth-shean. Beth-she'an . ...
/b/beth-shean.htm - 11k

Zarethan (4 Occurrences)
... In 1 Kings 4:12 it is mentioned in connefection with Bethshean and said to be "beneath
Jezreel." In 1 Kings 7:46, this is said to be at "the ford of Adamah ...
/z/zarethan.htm - 9k

Oreb (4 Occurrences)
... 26). It was probably the place now called Orbo, on the east of Jordan, near
Bethshean. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. OREB; ZEEB. ...
/o/oreb.htm - 10k

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