בֵּית־הַשִּׁמְשִׁי (bet hash.shim.shi)
bet hash.shim.shi
Bethshemite
N:N--LGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--LG
Word Overview
The term bet hashshimshi identifies an inhabitant of Beth-shemesh, a city whose name literally translates to "house of the sun." As a gentilic adjective, it functions as a demonym, distinguishing residents of this specific location from those of neighboring towns. The sources note that this spelling is a variant of the more common form associated with the city itself.
Its usage in Scripture is quite restricted, appearing in only two verses within the First Book of Samuel. This limited occurrence means the word serves primarily as a geographical marker rather than carrying deep theological weight or complex narrative nuance. It simply anchors characters or events to this particular settlement in the territory of Judah.
Understanding this word highlights how ancient Israelite identity was often tied closely to place names. The "house of the sun" designation reflects the naming conventions of the region, where civic life centered around local landmarks. For readers, it provides a precise locational detail that grounds the historical accounts in the First Samuel narratives.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Beth-shemesh, meaning 'house of the sun,' anchors a specific moment in Israel's history where divine presence was carefully managed. In these brief references, the location serves as more than just a backdrop; it is the place where the Ark of the Covenant rested after its return from Philistia. This detail reminds us that God’s glory is not abstract but interacts with real places and people.
For your faith life, this word highlights the importance of reverence. The text notes a great stone remaining in the field of Joshua, marking where the Ark was set down. It suggests that holy moments leave lasting impressions on our surroundings and memories. We are invited to treat our own lives as places where God’s presence is honored with care.
While the term appears only twice, it points to a broader truth: God meets us in the ordinary details of our geography and daily routines. The 'house of the sun' becomes a sanctuary not because of its name, but because of how the people responded to what God had done there.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] Beth2×
- <the>/ Shemeshite2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בֵּֽית\־2×
- הַ/שִּׁמְשִׁי֙1×
- הַ/שִּׁמְשִֽׁי\׃1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 6:14
The cart came into the field of Joshua of Beth Shemesh, and stood there, where there was a great stone. Then they split the wood of the cart and offered up the cows for a burnt offering to Yahweh.
This verse marks the physical arrival of the Ark at Beth-shemesh, establishing the location as the site where the Philistines' tribute was returned and a burnt offering was made.
-
I Samuel 6:18
and the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fortified cities and of country villages, even to the great stone on which they set down Yahweh’s ark. That stone remains to this day in the field of Joshua of Beth Shemesh.
The reference to the great stone serves as a permanent memorial in Joshua's field, confirming the specific spot where the Ark was placed and linking the event to a tangible landmark.