בֵּית הַכֶּ֫רֶם (bet hak.ke.rem)
bet hak.ke.rem
Beth-haccherem
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
Beth-haccherem is a proper noun meaning "house of the vineyard" or "place of the vineyard." It identifies a specific locality in the territory of Judah, likely situated near Jerusalem. The name itself paints a picture of agricultural life, suggesting a site known for its grapevines or perhaps a large estate dedicated to wine production.
This place appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both within lists of returning exiles. In Nehemiah 7:26 and Ezra 2:25, it is recorded among the settlements where families resettled after the Babylonian captivity. These brief mentions serve as geographical markers for the restored community, anchoring their new lives to specific, named locations in their ancestral land.
The rarity of its biblical appearance highlights how many small towns existed in ancient Judah that are now lost to history. While Beth-haccherem does not feature in major narratives or prophetic speeches, its inclusion in the census lists confirms its status as a recognized community during the post-exilic period. The name remains a simple testament to the agrarian roots of the region.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Beth-haccherem means "house of the vineyard," evoking images of careful cultivation and harvest. In the Bible, this place appears in two very different contexts that show how God uses ordinary locations for His purposes. One verse places it as a quiet residential community where families returned from exile to rebuild their lives. The other summons the people to sound an alarm there, turning a peaceful home into a watchtower against danger.
For your faith, this word reminds us that God is present in both the routine and the urgent moments of life. Whether you are working quietly in your daily tasks or standing alert during times of crisis, your location matters to Him. The vineyard imagery suggests that spiritual growth requires patience and care, just as tending grapes takes time. You can trust that God sees your efforts, whether they happen in a bustling city or a small village known for its vines.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Hakkerem2×
- Beth2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַכָּ֑רֶם1×
- הַכֶּ֖רֶם1×
- בֵּית\־1×
- בֵּ֥ית1×
Key Verses
-
Nehemiah 3:14
Malchijah the son of Rechab, the ruler of the district of Beth Haccherem, repaired the dung gate. He built it, and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars.
This verse shows the word identifying a specific district leader responsible for repairing the dung gate, highlighting local governance and community restoration.
-
Jeremiah 6:1
“Flee for safety, you children of Benjamin, out of the middle of Jerusalem! Blow the trumpet in Tekoa and raise up a signal on Beth Haccherem, for evil looks out from the north with a great destruction.
Here the location serves as a strategic signal point where a trumpet is blown to warn Benjamin against approaching northern destruction.