בֵּית הַשִּׁטָּה (bet hash.shit.tah)
bet hash.shit.tah
Beth-shittah
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The proper noun Beth-shittah translates literally to "house of the acacia" or "place of the acacia." It refers to a specific geographical location mentioned in the Old Testament, though its exact site remains unknown to modern scholars. The name likely describes a notable grove of acacia trees, which were common in the arid regions of ancient Israel and valued for their hard wood.
This place appears only once in Scripture, in Judges 7:22. The context places it within the narrative of Gideon’s battle against the Midianites. As Gideon’s small army pursued the fleeing enemy forces, the text notes that they chased them as far as Beth-abidah and toward the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath. This single mention serves to mark the extent of the Israelite victory in that campaign.
Because the word occurs in such a narrow context, its primary significance is geographical rather than theological. It anchors the story in a real, albeit unidentified, landscape. The acacia tree itself holds symbolic weight elsewhere in Scripture as the material for the Tabernacle, but here the name functions simply as a landmark marking the boundary of Gideon’s triumph.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Beth-shittah is a small place name that appears only once in the Bible, in Judges 7:22. It marks the farthest point of Gideon’s pursuit against the Midianites. The name means “house of the acacia,” likely referring to a grove of these hardy trees. While we do not know its exact location today, it serves as a real marker of where God’s victory extended.
This single mention reminds us that God works in specific, tangible ways. He uses ordinary landscapes to record His faithfulness. The acacia tree, known for its durability, may hint at the strength God provides in battle. For you, this word shows that even small details in Scripture point to a larger story of deliverance.
When you read about Gideon’s army, remember that God’s help is not abstract. It happens in real places and times. Beth-shittah stands as a quiet witness to that truth. May you find comfort in knowing that your own struggles are seen and met by the same God who fought for Israel.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Beth1×
- <of the>/ Shittah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/שִּׁטָּה֙1×
- בֵּ֤ית1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 7:22
They blew the three hundred trumpets, and Yahweh set every man’s sword against his fellow and against all the army; and the army fled as far as Beth Shittah toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel Meholah, by Tabbath.
This verse records the extent of the pursuit, showing Beth-shittah as the boundary marker of Gideon's victory.