BETH-SHEMESH

House of the sun, 1. A city of Judah given to the priests, Jos 21:16 1Ch 6:59 1Sa 6:15. It lay fifteen miles west of Jerusalem, near the border of Dan and of the Philistines, Jos 15:10 1Sa 6:12. Probably the same as Irshemesh, Jos 19:41. It is memorable for a battle between Judah and Israel, in which Amaziah was defeated, 2Ki 14:12-14; and for the return of the ark from among the Philistines, and the punishment of those who then profaned it, 1Sa 6:1-21. There is reason to suppose the numbers in 1Sa 6:19 should be translated "threescore and ten men, even fifty out of one thousand," or one in two hundred of the men of the city. 2. A celebrated city in Egypt, Jer 43:13.

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Beth-shemesh. Beth-shemesh
House of the sun. (1.) A sacerdotal city in the tribe of Dan (Josh. 21:16; 1 Sam. 6:15), on the north border of Judah (Josh. 15:10). It was the scene of an encounter between Jehoash, king of Israel, and Amaziah, king of Judah, in which the latter was made prisoner (2 Kings 14:11, 13). It was afterwards taken by the Philistines (2 Chr. 28:18). It is the modern ruined Arabic village ‘Ain-shems, on the north-west slopes of the mountains of Judah, 14 miles west of Jerusalem.

(2.) A city between Dothan and the Jordan, near the southern border of Issachar (Josh. 19:22), 7 1/2 miles south of Beth-shean. It is the modern Ain-esh-Shemsiyeh.

(3.) One of the fenced cities of Naphtali (Josh. 19:38), between Mount Tabor and the Jordan. Now Khurbet Shema, 3 miles west of Safed. But perhaps the same as No. 2.

(4.) An idol sanctuary in Egypt (Jer. 43:13); called by the Greeks Heliopolis, and by the Egyptians On (q.v.), Gen. 41:45.

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Beth-shemesh. house of the sun

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BETH-SHEMESH. 1. A priestly city of the tribe of Dan Jos 21:16; 1Sa 6:15; 1Ch 6:59
* On the northern border of territory of the tribe of Judah Jos 15:10; 1Sa 6:9,12
* In later times transferred to the tribe of Judah 2Ki 14:11
* Mentioned in Solomon's commission districts 1Ki 4:9
* Amaziah taken prisoner at 2Ki 14:11-13; 2Ch 25:21-23
* Retaken by the Philistines 2Ch 28:18
* Called BETH-SHMESH Jos 19:41

2. A city near Jerusalem Jos 19:22 3. A fortified city of the territory of the tribe of Naphtali Jos 19:38; Jud 1:33 4. An idolatrous temple Jer 43:13