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Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

BETH-SHEMESH

1. Canaanite city on the northern border of Judah’s territory (Jos 15:10) and the southern border of Dan’s (before that tribe migrated north). Beth-shemesh means “the house of Shamash,” the Canaanite sun god. As Ir-shemesh, it was included in the list of cities of Dan (19:41). Beth-shemesh was one of the towns of Judah granted to the Levites (Jos 21:16; 1 Chr 6:59). Its inhabitants were called Beth-shemites (1 Sm 6:14, 18, KJB). When the Philistines decided to dispose of the captured ark of the covenant because plagues were breaking out in their cities, they took it to Beth-shemesh. The area was also the scene of a great victory of King Joash (Jehoash) of Israel over King Amaziah of Judah (2 Chr 25:21-23). About a century later, Beth-shemesh was captured from King Ahaz of Judah by the Philistines (28:16-20). After that, the settlement fell into decline and was finally destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC.

2. Canaanite city allotted to Issachar’s tribe (Jos 19:22).

3. Fortified Canaanite city allotted to Naphtali’s tribe (Jos 19:38). The inhabitants of this Beth-shemesh were not driven out by the Israelites (Jgs 1:33).

4. KJV reference to the Egyptian city of Heliopolis (or On), where the sun was worshiped (Jer 43:13). See Heliopolis.