בֵּית הַיְשִׁימוֹת (bet hay.shi.mot)
bet hay.shi.mot
Beth-jeshimoth
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
Beth-jeshimoth is a proper noun meaning "house of desolation" or "place of the desert." It refers to a specific location in Moab, situated east of the Jordan River. The name itself paints a picture of an abandoned or barren landscape, suggesting a place that was once inhabited but had fallen into ruin.
This town appears three times in the Hebrew Bible, always within the context of the tribal allotments. In Numbers 32:3 and Joshua 13:18, it is listed as a city assigned to the tribe of Reuben. Later, in Joshua 13:20, it is mentioned again among the towns given to Reuben and Gad. The consistent association with these eastern tribes highlights its role as a frontier settlement on the edge of the Promised Land.
The etymology points to a stark reality. The word for "desolation" (yeshimoth) implies emptiness or waste. This contrasts with the typical meaning of "house" (bet), which suggests community and structure. Together, they describe a settlement caught between civilization and wilderness, serving as a marker for the Reubenites' territory in a region described as desolate.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Beth-jeshimoth means "house of desolation," a name that paints a picture of an abandoned or barren landscape. Situated east of the Jordan River, this location served as a frontier settlement for the tribes of Reuben and Gad. The etymology points to a stark reality: the word for "desolation" implies emptiness, contrasting with the typical meaning of "house," which suggests community and structure.
This town appears three times in the Hebrew Bible, always within the context of tribal allotments. In Numbers 33:49, the Israelites encamp by the Jordan from Beth-jeshimoth to Abel Shittim. Later, it is listed as a city assigned to Reuben in Joshua 13:20 and mentioned among their towns in Joshua 12:3. The consistent association with these eastern tribes highlights its role as a marker for territory on the edge of the Promised Land.
For your faith, this word reminds us that God's promises extend even to places described as desolate. It shows how He guides His people into specific lands, turning what might seem like empty wilderness into a home. This history encourages trust in His provision, knowing He leads us through every season and place with purpose.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- <the>/ Jeshimoth2×
- from/ Beth1×
- and/ Beth1×
- Beth1×
- <of the>/ Jeshimoth1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִ/בֵּ֣ית1×
- וּ/בֵ֥ית1×
- הַ/יְשִׁמֽוֹת\׃1×
- הַ/יְשִׁמֹ֔ת1×
- הַ/יְשִׁמ֑וֹת1×
- בֵּ֣ית1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 33:49
They encamped by the Jordan, from Beth Jeshimoth even to Abel Shittim in the plains of Moab.
This verse marks Beth-jeshimoth as the starting point of the Israelites' final encampment before crossing into the Promised Land, highlighting its role as a transitional frontier.
-
Joshua 12:3
and the Arabah to the sea of Chinneroth, eastward, and to the sea of the Arabah, even the Salt Sea, eastward, the way to Beth Jeshimoth; and on the south, under the slopes of Pisgah:
Here, the city serves as a geographical boundary marker for the territory conquered by the Reubenites, showing its strategic importance in defining their inheritance.
-
Joshua 13:20
Beth Peor, the slopes of Pisgah, Beth Jeshimoth,
This occurrence lists Beth-jeshimoth among the specific towns allotted to Reuben and Gad, confirming its status as a settled community despite its desolate name.