Bethshemite
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Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Bethshemite" refers to an inhabitant of Beth-shemesh, a city mentioned several times in the Old Testament. Beth-shemesh, meaning "House of the Sun," was a Levitical city located in the territory of the tribe of Dan, near the border with Judah. It played a significant role in various biblical narratives, particularly in the context of the Ark of the Covenant.

Geographical and Historical Context

Beth-shemesh is identified with the modern site of Tell er-Rumeileh, situated in the Sorek Valley. Its strategic location made it an important city during the period of the Judges and the early monarchy in Israel. The city is mentioned in the context of the Philistine and Israelite conflicts, serving as a border town between the two peoples.

Biblical References

1. The Return of the Ark: One of the most notable events involving the Bethshemites is the return of the Ark of the Covenant from Philistine captivity. After the Philistines captured the Ark and suffered plagues, they decided to return it to Israel. The Ark was placed on a new cart and sent back, arriving at Beth-shemesh. The people of Beth-shemesh were overjoyed to see the Ark and offered sacrifices to the Lord. However, some of the men of Beth-shemesh looked into the Ark, which was forbidden, and as a result, the Lord struck down many of them. The account is recorded in 1 Samuel 6:19: "But God struck down some of the men of Beth-shemesh because they had looked into the ark of the LORD. He struck down seventy men, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck them with a great slaughter" .

2. Territorial Assignments: Beth-shemesh is also mentioned in the context of territorial assignments. In Joshua 21:16, it is listed as one of the cities given to the Levites from the tribe of Dan. This allocation underscores its religious significance and its role as a Levitical city.

3. Military Engagements: The city is mentioned in the context of military engagements during the reign of King Amaziah of Judah. In 2 Kings 14:11-13, Amaziah, king of Judah, challenged Jehoash, king of Israel, to battle. The two armies met at Beth-shemesh, where Judah was defeated, and Amaziah was captured.

Cultural and Religious Significance

As a Levitical city, Beth-shemesh held religious importance, serving as a center for worship and the administration of the Levitical duties. The incident involving the Ark highlights the sacredness of the Ark and the severe consequences of disobedience to God's commands. The Bethshemites' experience serves as a reminder of the holiness of God and the reverence required in handling sacred objects.

Archaeological Insights

Archaeological excavations at Tell er-Rumeileh have uncovered remains from various periods, including the Iron Age, which corresponds to the biblical era of the Judges and the monarchy. These findings provide insights into the city's layout, fortifications, and daily life, corroborating its historical and biblical significance.

In summary, the Bethshemite people and their city played a crucial role in the biblical narrative, particularly in relation to the Ark of the Covenant and the territorial dynamics of ancient Israel. Their account is a testament to the intersection of faith, obedience, and the divine presence in the life of Israel.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BETH-SHEMITE

beth-she'-mit beth-shimshi (1 Samuel 6:14, 20): An inhabitant of Beth-shemesh in Judah (compare BETH-SHEMESH 1).

Strong's Hebrew
1030. Beth-hashshimshi -- an inhabitant of Bethshemesh
... Bethshemite. Patrial from Beyth Shemesh with the article inserted; a Beth-shimshite,
or inhabitant of Bethshemesh -- Bethshemite. see HEBREW Beyth Shemesh. ...
/hebrew/1030.htm - 6k
Library

The Form and Spirit of Religion
... You remember that this ark of the covenant, after it was brought back from the land
of the Philistines, was set in the field of Joshua the Bethshemite, and the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the form and spirit of.htm

Thesaurus
Bethshemite (2 Occurrences)
... BETH-SHEMESH 1). Multi-Version Concordance Bethshemite (2 Occurrences).
1 Samuel 6:14 And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a ...
/b/bethshemite.htm - 7k

Beth-shemeshites (1 Occurrence)
Beth-shemeshites. Beth-shemeshite, Beth-shemeshites. Bethshemite . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (YLT). Beth-shemeshite, Beth-shemeshites. Bethshemite . ...
/b/beth-shemeshites.htm - 6k

Beth-shemite (2 Occurrences)
Beth-shemite. Bethshemite, Beth-shemite. Bethshittah . Int. ... (ASV BBE JPS WBS
NAS). Bethshemite, Beth-shemite. Bethshittah . Reference Bible.
/b/beth-shemite.htm - 7k

Clave (16 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 6:14 And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Bethshemite, and stood
there, where there was a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart ...
/c/clave.htm - 11k

Fenced (61 Occurrences)
... even unto the great stone of Abel, whereon they set down the ark of the LORD: which
stone remaineth unto this day in the field of Joshua, the Bethshemite. ...
/f/fenced.htm - 27k

Kine (24 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 6:14 And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Bethshemite, and stood
there, where there was a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart ...
/k/kine.htm - 16k

Joshua (211 Occurrences)
... See following article. (2) In 1 Samuel 6:14, 18 (form (b)), the Bethshemite in whose
field stood the kine that brought the ark from the Philistines. ...
/j/joshua.htm - 101k

Abel (22 Occurrences)
... even unto the great stone of Abel, whereon they set down the ark of the LORD: which
stone remaineth unto this day in the field of Joshua, the Bethshemite. ...
/a/abel.htm - 22k

Resources
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Concordance
Bethshemite (2 Occurrences)

1 Samuel 6:14
And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Bethshemite, and stood there, where there was a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart, and offered the kine a burnt offering unto the LORD.
(KJV)

1 Samuel 6:18
And the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fenced cities, and of country villages, even unto the great stone of Abel, whereon they set down the ark of the LORD: which stone remaineth unto this day in the field of Joshua, the Bethshemite.
(KJV)

Subtopics

Bethshemite

Related Terms

Beth-shemite (2 Occurrences)

Beth-she'mesh (20 Occurrences)

Walled (63 Occurrences)

Bethshittah (1 Occurrence)

Beth-shemeshites (1 Occurrence)

Cleaved (36 Occurrences)

Clave (16 Occurrences)

Fenced (61 Occurrences)

Kine (24 Occurrences)

Cleave (52 Occurrences)

Joshua (211 Occurrences)

Abel (22 Occurrences)

Stopped (134 Occurrences)

Stop (108 Occurrences)

Cutting (178 Occurrences)

Beth-shemeshites
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