Etymology and Meaning: The name "Bethzur" is derived from Hebrew, meaning "House of the Rock" or "House of the Fortress." This name reflects its strategic and fortified nature, which played a significant role in its historical and biblical context.

Biblical References: Bethzur is mentioned in several passages of the Old Testament, primarily in the context of territorial allotments and military significance. It is first noted in the Book of Joshua as part of the inheritance of the tribe of Judah. Joshua 15:58 lists Bethzur among the towns in the hill country of Judah: "Halhul, Beth-zur, and Gedor."

Historical Significance: Bethzur was a fortified city, strategically located in the hill country of Judah, approximately 4 miles north of Hebron. Its position made it a critical defensive site, particularly during times of conflict. The city is mentioned in the context of Rehoboam's fortifications in 2 Chronicles 11:5-10, where it is listed among the cities he fortified to protect Judah: "Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem and built up cities for defense in Judah. He built up Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa, Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam, Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah, Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron."

Archaeological Insights: Excavations at the site identified as Bethzur have revealed significant fortifications, including walls and towers, which corroborate its biblical description as a fortified city. These findings align with the historical accounts of its military importance.

Role in the Maccabean Revolt: Bethzur played a notable role during the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. It was a site of conflict and was fortified by the Maccabees as a stronghold. The First Book of Maccabees, though not part of the Protestant canon, provides additional historical context, describing how Bethzur was captured and fortified by Judas Maccabeus.

Post-Biblical History: After the biblical period, Bethzur continued to hold strategic importance. During the Roman period, it was known as Bethsura and remained a significant site due to its location on the main road from Jerusalem to Hebron.

Theological Implications: Bethzur's repeated mention in the context of fortifications and defense highlights the biblical theme of divine protection and the importance of strategic preparation. It serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and readiness in the face of spiritual and physical challenges.

Modern Identification: Today, the site of Bethzur is identified with the archaeological site of Khirbet et-Tubeiqa, where remnants of its ancient fortifications can still be observed. The site continues to be of interest to archaeologists and biblical scholars seeking to understand the historical and cultural context of the biblical narrative.Bethzur

(house of rock) a town in the mountains of Judah, built by Jeroboam, (Joshua 15:58; 2 Chronicles 11:7) now Beit-zur . It commands the road from Beersheba and Hebron, which has always been the main approach to Jerusalem from the south.

House of rock, a town in the mountains of Judah (Joshua 15:58), about 4 miles to the north of Hebron. It was built by Rehoboam for the defence of his kingdom (2 Chronicles 11:7). It stood near the modern ed-Dirweh. Its ruins are still seen on a hill which bears the name of Beit-Sur, and which commands the road from Beer-sheba and Hebron to Jerusalem from the south. 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

Bethzur (4 Occurrences)
...Bethzur (4 Occurrences). Joshua 15:58 Halhul, Bethzur, and Gedor, (KJV). 1 Chronicles
2:45 And the son of Shammai was Maon: and Maon was the father of Bethzur. ...
/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

Bethanoth (1 Occurrence)
... probably "House of Anath"-a god; Joshua 15:59): The ruin of Beit `Ainun, 1 1/2 miles
Southeast of Halhul, in the neighborhood also of Bethzur and Gedor-places ...
/b/bethanoth.htm - 7k

Beth-za'tha (1 Occurrence)
Beth-za'tha. Beth-zatha, Beth-za'tha. Bethzur . Multi-Version Concordance
Beth-za'tha (1 Occurrence). ... Beth-zatha, Beth-za'tha. Bethzur . Reference Bible
/b/beth-za'tha.htm - 6k

Beth-anoth (1 Occurrence)
... probably "House of Anath"-a god; Joshua 15:59): The ruin of Beit `Ainun, 1 1/2 miles
Southeast of Halhul, in the neighborhood also of Bethzur and Gedor-places ...
/b/beth-anoth.htm - 7k

Shoco (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Shoco (1 Occurrence). 2 Chronicles
11:7 And Bethzur, and Shoco, and Adullam, (KJV). ...
/s/shoco.htm - 6k

Sepulchres (17 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 3:16 After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the half
part of Bethzur, unto the place over against the sepulchres of David, and to ...
/s/sepulchres.htm - 12k

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