The term "Shearing-house" appears in the context of biblical narratives, specifically in the Old Testament. It is a location associated with the processing of wool, a significant agricultural activity in ancient Israel. The shearing of sheep was an important economic and social event, often accompanied by festivities and gatherings.

Biblical Reference:

The primary reference to a shearing-house is found in 2 Kings 10:12-14. In this passage, Jehu, the newly anointed king of Israel, is on a mission to eradicate the house of Ahab as part of his divinely appointed task to cleanse Israel from idolatry and the influence of Baal worship. The Berean Standard Bible renders the passage as follows:

"Then Jehu set out and went toward Samaria. At Beth Eked of the Shepherds, he met the relatives of Ahaziah king of Judah and asked, 'Who are you?' They answered, 'We are relatives of Ahaziah, and we have come down to greet the sons of the king and the sons of the queen mother.' 'Take them alive!' Jehu ordered. So they took them alive and slaughtered them at the well of Beth Eked—forty-two men. He spared none of them."

In this account, the "Beth Eked of the Shepherds" is understood to be a shearing-house, a place where sheep were gathered for shearing. The term "Beth Eked" can be translated as "house of binding" or "house of shearing," indicating its function related to sheep husbandry.

Cultural and Historical Context:

Sheep shearing was a significant event in the agrarian society of ancient Israel. It was not only a time for economic activity but also for social interaction and celebration. The shearing-house would have been a bustling place, filled with shepherds, workers, and possibly family members who participated in the shearing process. The wool gathered was a valuable commodity, used for clothing and trade.

The gathering at a shearing-house could also serve as a backdrop for significant events, as seen in the narrative of Jehu. The meeting of Jehu with the relatives of Ahaziah at this location underscores the shearing-house as a place where people from different regions might converge, making it a strategic location for Jehu's actions.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the events at the shearing-house in 2 Kings 10 highlight themes of divine judgment and the fulfillment of prophetic word. Jehu's actions, though violent, are portrayed as part of God's judgment against the house of Ahab and the eradication of idolatry from Israel. The shearing-house, therefore, becomes a setting for the execution of divine justice, reflecting the broader biblical narrative of God's sovereignty and the consequences of turning away from His commandments.

In summary, the shearing-house in biblical times was more than just a place for agricultural activity; it was a setting for social interaction and, in the biblical narrative, a stage for significant historical and theological events.(2 Kings 10:12, 14; marg., "house of shepherds binding sheep." R.V., "the shearing-house of the shepherds;" marg., "house of gathering"), some place between Samaria and Jezreel, where Jehu slew "two and forty men" of the royal family of Judah. The Hebrews word Beth-eked so rendered is supposed by some to be a proper name. 1044. Beth-eqed -- "house of binding," a place in Palestine
... shearing house. From bayith and a derivative of aqad; house of (the) binding (for
sheep-shearing); Beth-Eked, a place in Palestine -- shearing house. ...
/hebrew/1044.htm - 6k

7462. ra'ah -- to pasture, tend, graze
... company with, devour, eat up, evil entreat, feed, use as a friend, make friendship
with, herdman, keep (sheep)(-er), pastor, + shearing house, shepherd, wander ...
/hebrew/7462.htm - 5k

Shearinghouse
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (2 Kings 10:12, 14; marg., "house of shepherds binding
sheep." RV, "the shearing-house of the shepherds;" marg., "house of gathering ...
/s/shearinghouse.htm - 6k

Shearing-house (2 Occurrences)
Shearing-house. Shearinghouse, Shearing-house. Shearjashub . Easton's Bible
Dictionary ... Shearinghouse, Shearing-house. Shearjashub . Reference Bible.
/s/shearing-house.htm - 7k

Shearing (6 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SHEARINGHOUSE. ... As he was at the shearing
house of the shepherds on the way, (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT). ...
/s/shearing.htm - 9k

Jehu (63 Occurrences)
... gate. At "the shearing-house" (2 Kings 10:12-14) other forty-two connected
with the house of Ahab were put to death (2 Kings 10:14). ...
/j/jehu.htm - 47k

Forty-two (15 Occurrences)
... (WEB BBE DBY NAS RSV NIV). 2 Kings 10:14 He said, "Take them alive!" They took them
alive, and killed them at the pit of the shearinghouse, even forty-two men. ...
/f/forty-two.htm - 10k

Eked (2 Occurrences)
... Eked (2 Occurrences). 2 Kings 10:12 He arose and departed, and went to Samaria.
As he was at the shearinghouse of the shepherds on the way, (See NAS RSV NIV). ...
/e/eked.htm - 7k

Beth-eked (2 Occurrences)
... Beth-eked (2 Occurrences). 2 Kings 10:12 He arose and departed, and went to Samaria.
As he was at the shearinghouse of the shepherds on the way, (See NAS RSV). ...
/b/beth-eked.htm - 6k

Survivor (18 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). 2 Kings 10:14 He said, "Take them alive!" They took them alive, and
killed them at the pit of the shearinghouse, even forty-two men. ...
/s/survivor.htm - 12k

Shearjashub (1 Occurrence)

/s/shearjashub.htm - 7k

Shepherds (55 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 10:12 He arose and departed, and went to Samaria. As he was at the shearing
house of the shepherds on the way, (WEB JPS ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/s/shepherds.htm - 24k

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