בֵּית כָּ֑ר (bet kar)
bet kar
Beth-car
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
Beth-car is a proper noun referring to a specific location mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, appearing only once in 1 Samuel 7:11. The name translates literally as "house of the ram" or "place of the lamb," combining the words for house and ram or lamb. This etymology suggests a place known for livestock, perhaps a shrine, a market, or a settlement associated with shepherding.
The text identifies Beth-car as belonging to the Philistines, situating it within territory controlled by Israel’s neighbors during the period of the judges. It serves as the starting point for Samuel’s journey to judge Israel, marking a geographical transition from Philistine-held land back into Israelite territory. The rarity of the word means its historical details are sparse, but its presence anchors the narrative in a real, tangible landscape.
Translators typically render the name phonetically as Beth-car or Bethcar, preserving its identity as a place name rather than translating it descriptively. This approach maintains the distinction between the location’s literal meaning and its function in the story. The word highlights how ancient Israelite geography was often defined by local landmarks, tribal ownership, or economic activities like animal husbandry.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Beth-car appears just once in Scripture, marking a specific boundary between Philistine territory and the land of Israel. Its name, meaning "house of the ram," evokes an image of pastoral life and local landmarks that defined ancient geography. For us, this detail reminds us that God’s work happens in real places, involving real people with real histories.
When we read about Samuel judging Israel from Mizpah to Beth-car, we see a leader moving through the landscape to restore order. This journey reflects how faith is lived out in the everyday world around us. We are invited to trust that God guides our steps, even when we move from familiar ground into unknown or contested areas.
Though the name itself is rare, its presence anchors the biblical narrative in a tangible reality. It encourages us to value the concrete details of our own lives and communities as part of God’s broader story.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to/ Beth1×
- Car1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/בֵ֥ית1×
- כָּֽר\׃1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 7:11
The men of Israel went out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, and struck them until they came under Beth Kar.
This verse marks the geographical limit of Israel's pursuit, showing Beth-car as the boundary where the battle concluded and judgment was established.