בֵּית מַרְכָּבוֹת (bet ham.mar.ka.vot)
bet ham.mar.ka.vot
Beth-marcaboth
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The phrase bet hammarḵāḇōt translates directly as "house of chariots." It appears in the Hebrew Bible as a proper noun for a specific location within the tribal territory of Simeon. The name itself is descriptive, likely referring to a site known for its military significance or perhaps a place where royal chariots were stored.
This place is mentioned only twice in Scripture, in Joshua 19:35 and 1 Chronicles 4:31. In both instances, the text identifies it as another name for Madmannah (H4089). This dual naming suggests that different traditions or sources used these labels interchangeably to describe the same settlement.
The reference to chariots in the name is notable given Simeon’s small territorial allotment. While major powers like Egypt and Assyria were famous for their chariot forces, a minor Judean town bearing this title might indicate local importance or a historical connection to larger regional powers. The brevity of its biblical mention leaves its exact function open to interpretation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Beth-marcaboth is a small place name that appears in two lists of Simeon’s inheritance. It means “house of chariots.” This title likely points to a local center for storing or maintaining military equipment. Though the tribe of Simeon received a modest territory, this site suggests they had organized resources for defense.
Scripture records this location alongside Madmannah, showing how ancient communities often carried multiple names. For modern readers, these brief mentions remind us that God’s care extends to every detail of life, even the quiet logistics of daily survival. We find comfort in knowing that our own “small” contributions and steady faithfulness are seen and valued by Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ in/ Beth1×
- and/ Beth1×
- Marcaboth1×
- <the>/ Marcaboth1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַרְכָּבוֹת֙1×
- וּ/בֵית\־1×
- וּ/בְ/בֵ֤ית1×
- הַ/מַּרְכָּב֖וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 19:5
Ziklag, Beth Marcaboth, Hazar Susah,
This verse lists Beth-marcaboth as part of Simeon’s territorial inheritance, highlighting its role in the tribe's settlement.