Scythopolis, known in the Old Testament as Beth-Shean, is a significant city mentioned in the Bible, located in the region of the Decapolis in ancient Israel. It is situated strategically at the junction of the Jezreel Valley and the Jordan Valley, making it a vital center for trade and military activities throughout its history.

Biblical References:

1. Old Testament:
· Beth-Shean: The city is first mentioned in the context of the conquest of Canaan. In Joshua 17:11, it is listed among the towns within the territory allotted to the tribe of Manasseh, although they were unable to drive out the Canaanites who lived there. "Manasseh had Beth-Shean and its towns, Ibleam and its towns, the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, the inhabitants of Endor and its towns, the inhabitants of Taanach and its towns, the inhabitants of Megiddo and its towns, the three hilly regions."
· Death of Saul: Beth-Shean is notably mentioned in 1 Samuel 31:10-12, where the Philistines fastened the bodies of Saul and his sons to the wall of Beth-Shean after their defeat at Mount Gilboa. "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."

2. New Testament:
· Scythopolis: In the New Testament era, the city was known as Scythopolis and was one of the cities of the Decapolis, a group of ten cities on the eastern frontier of the Roman Empire in Judea and Syria. Although Scythopolis itself is not directly mentioned in the New Testament, the Decapolis is referenced in the context of Jesus' ministry. In Mark 5:20, after Jesus healed the demon-possessed man, the man went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. "So the man went away and began to proclaim throughout the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed."

Historical and Archaeological Significance:

Scythopolis was a prominent city during various periods, including the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine eras. Its location made it a cultural and economic hub, influencing the surrounding regions. Archaeological excavations have uncovered significant remains, including a Roman theater, a basilica, and a bathhouse, reflecting its importance and prosperity during these times.

Cultural and Religious Influence:

The city's transition from Beth-Shean to Scythopolis reflects the broader cultural and political shifts in the region, from Canaanite to Israelite, and later to Hellenistic and Roman influences. This transition is emblematic of the complex history of the land of Israel, where diverse cultures and peoples have intersected.

Scythopolis serves as a testament to the historical and biblical narrative of the land, illustrating the fulfillment of biblical prophecies and the unfolding of God's plan through the ages. Its mention in the context of Saul's demise and the Decapolis highlights its enduring significance in the biblical account.Scythopolis

[BETH-SHEAN]

SCYTHOPOLIS

si-thop'-o-lis, si-thop'-o-lis.

See BETH-SHEAN.

137. Ainon -- Aenon, a place in the Jordan Valley
... Phonetic Spelling: (ahee-nohn') Short Definition: Aenon Definition: Aenon; Eusebius
and Jerome place this site 8 (Roman) miles south of Scythopolis near the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/137.htm - 6k

Scythopolis. Beth-Shean, the Beginning of Galilee.
... A Chorographical Century. Chapters 51-60 Chapter 60 Scythopolis. ... The bonds of Galilee
were, "on the south, Samaris and Scythopolis, unto the flood of Jordan." ...
/.../from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 60 scythopolis beth-shean the.htm

The Calamities and Slaughters that came Upon the Jews.
... and laid waste the villages of the Syrians, and their neighboring cities, Philadelphia,
and Sebonitis, and Gerasa, and Pella, and Scythopolis, and after them ...
/.../chapter 18 the calamities and.htm

Of the Situation of Tiberias.
... But you cannot place it where Jordan flows into it, because Josephus saith, Tiberias
is not distant from Scythopolis above a hundred and twenty furlongs ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 73 of the situation.htm

How Upon the Quarrel Between Antiochus Grypus and Antiochus ...
... for Antiochus Cyzicenus to help them, who came readily to their assistance, but
was beaten by Aristobulus; and when he was pursued as far as Scythopolis by the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 how upon the.htm

General Council of Nic??a.
... who opposed these doctrines, and sided with Arius; and amongst them were Menophantus,
bishop of Ephesus, Patrophilus, bishop of Scythopolis, Theognis, bishop ...
/.../chapter vi general council of nicaea.htm

Concerning the Successors of Judas, who were Jonathan and Simon ...
... he got ready, and complied with their invitation, but was beaten by Aristobulus
and Antigonus; and indeed he was pursued as far as Scythopolis by these brethren ...
/.../chapter 2 concerning the successors.htm

Council of Seleucia.
... At the first session of this council, several of the bishops were absent, and among
others, Patrophilus, bishop of Scythopolis; Macedonius, bishop of ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter xxii council of seleucia.htm

Book 12 Footnotes
... [20] The reason why Bethshah was called Scythopolis is well known from Herodotus,
BI p.105, and Syncellus, p.214, that the Scythians, when they overran Asia ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 12 footnotes.htm

From the Talmud and Hebraica
... Chapter 58 Antipatris. Caphar Salama. Chapter 59 Galilee. Chapter 60 Scythopolis.
Beth-shean, the beginning of Galilee. A Chorographical Century. Chapters 61-70 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/

Principal Works on Dionysius the Areopagite.
... Dean Colet by Rev. JH Lupton. Rev. J. Parker. Commentaries. John of Scythopolis,
490. Joseph Huzaja. Phocas, bar. Sergius of Edessa. John, Bishop of Dara. ...
/.../dionysius/dionysis on divine names/principal works on dionysius the.htm

Scythopolis
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SCYTHOPOLIS. si-thop'-
o-lis, si-thop'-o-lis. See BETH-SHEAN. ...
/s/scythopolis.htm - 6k

Scythians
... hoi Skuthai): The word does not occur in the Hebrew of the Old Testament, but
Septuagint of Judges 1:27 inserts (Skuthon polis (Scythopolis), in explanation ...
/s/scythians.htm - 8k

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

Thebez (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Brightness, a place some 11 miles north-east
of Shechem, on the road to Scythopolis, the modern Tabas. ...
/t/thebez.htm - 9k

Beth-shean (5 Occurrences)
... After the Captivity it was called Scythopolis, ie, "the city of the Scythians,"
who about BC 640 came down from the steppes of Southern Russia and settled in ...
/b/beth-shean.htm - 11k

Bethshean (5 Occurrences)
... After the Captivity it was called Scythopolis, ie, "the city of the Scythians,"
who about BC 640 came down from the steppes of Southern Russia and settled in ...
/b/bethshean.htm - 11k

Aenon (1 Occurrence)
... Eusebius, Onomasticon locates it 8 Roman miles South of Scythopolis (Beisan), this
stretch of land on the west of the Jordan being then, not under Samaria, but ...
/a/aenon.htm - 8k

Salim (1 Occurrence)
... easily accessible. Onomasticon places Aenon 8 Roman miles South of Scythopolis
(Beisan), near Salumias (Salim) and the Jordan. This ...
/s/salim.htm - 15k

Geba (22 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 11:31). (2) (Gaibai): Between a fortress so named and Scythopolis
(Beisan), Holofernes pitched his camp (Judith 3:10). On the ...
/g/geba.htm - 17k

Ephron (13 Occurrences)
... (2) A city East of the Jordan between Carnion (Ashteroth-karnain) and Scythopolis
(Beisan): "Then Judas gathered together all the Israelites that were in the ...
/e/ephron.htm - 13k

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