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BETH-ZUR
Hill town of Judah in the mountains north of Hebron (Jos 15:58). Beth-zur was settled by Maon, one of Caleb’s descendants (1 Chr 2:45), and was one of the natural strongholds of Judah. It was fortified by King Rehoboam of the southern kingdom in the 10th century BC, even though it had begun to decline in importance (2 Chr 11:7). It served as an administrative center during the time of Nehemiah (Neh 3:16). In the Maccabean period it was known by the Greek name Bethsura. Judas Maccabeus defeated Syrian general Lysias there (1 Macc 4:29, 61) and lost the town a few years later. After recapturing Beth-zur from the Syrians, Simon Maccabeus strengthened it in 140 BC, making it one of the most important fortresses on the border between Judah and Idumea (11:65-66; 14:33).