בֵּית חוֹרֹן (bet cho.ron)
bet cho.ron
Beth-horon
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 12 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
Beth-horon refers to two distinct towns located in the territory of Ephraim, situated along a critical route connecting the coastal plain to the central highlands. The name translates to "house of hollowness," likely derived from the steep valley or wadi that separates the upper and lower settlements. This geographical feature created a significant elevation change, with Lower Beth-horon sitting approximately eight hundred feet below its counterpart on the mountains.
The Bible mentions this location twelve times, often highlighting its strategic military importance. In Joshua 10:10-11, the Israelites defeat the Amorite coalition as they retreat through the ascent of Beth-horon, where God sends hailstones to aid them. Later, in 1 Samuel 13:18, the Philistines send raiding parties out from this area, indicating it remained a key outpost for controlling movement between the lowlands and the hill country throughout Israel’s history.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Beth-horon marks a place where geography shaped history. The steep ascent between the upper and lower towns created a natural choke point, turning a simple journey into a decisive moment. When Israel faced overwhelming odds in Joshua 10, this narrow pass became the stage for divine intervention. The text describes how hailstones fell upon the enemy as they fled down the slope, showing that God often uses the very obstacles we face to bring about deliverance.
Centuries later, King Solomon fortified these same towns, recognizing their enduring strategic value. They were not just random settlements but key nodes in a network of protection and trade. For us today, Beth-horon reminds us that our own difficult passages—the steep climbs and narrow paths—are not accidents. They are places where God’s presence is most clearly felt, turning potential defeats into victories through His power.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Horon13×
- Beth12×
- of/ Beth1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בֵּ֥ית4×
- בֵּית\־3×
- חוֹרֹ֖ן2×
- בֵּ֣ית2×
- בֵית\־2×
- לְ/בֵית\־1×
- חוֹרוֹן֙1×
- חוֹרֹן֙1×
- חוֹרֹ֛ן1×
- חוֹרֹ֔ן1×
- חוֹר֛וֹן1×
- חוֹר֖וֹן1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 10:11
As they fled from before Israel, while they were at the descent of Beth Horon, Yahweh hurled down great stones from the sky on them to Azekah, and they died. There were more who died from the hailstones than those whom the children of Israel killed with the sword.
This verse highlights the dramatic use of hailstones at the descent of Beth-horon to defeat the enemy, emphasizing God's direct intervention in battle.
-
Joshua 16:5
This was the border of the children of Ephraim according to their families. The border of their inheritance eastward was Ataroth Addar, to Beth Horon the upper.
The mention of Beth-horon the upper defines the eastern boundary of Ephraim's inheritance, showing its role as a territorial marker.
-
I Kings 9:17
Solomon built in the land Gezer, Beth Horon the lower,
Solomon's building project at Beth-horon the lower demonstrates the town's continued importance in securing Israel's borders during the united monarchy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Beth-horon mean?
Why is Beth-horon mentioned so often in the Bible?
What happened at Beth-horon in Joshua 10?
Every Occurrence (12 verses across 5 books)
Joshua 7 verses
Yahweh confused them before Israel. He killed them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them by the way of the…
Joshua 10:11As they fled from before Israel, while they were at the descent of Beth Horon, Yahweh hurled down great stones from the…
Joshua 16:3and it went down westward to the border of the Japhletites, to the border of Beth Horon the lower, and on to Gezer; and…
Joshua 16:5This was the border of the children of Ephraim according to their families. The border of their inheritance eastward…
Joshua 18:13The border passed along from there to Luz, to the side of Luz (also called Bethel), southward. The border went down to…
Joshua 18:14The border extended, and turned around on the west quarter southward, from the mountain that lies before Beth Horon…
Joshua 21:22Kibzaim with its pasture lands, and Beth Horon with its pasture lands: four cities.