בֵּית לְבָאוֹת (bet le.va.ot)
bet le.va.ot
Beth-lebaoth
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The name Bet-Lebaoth translates to "house of lionesses," identifying a specific settlement assigned to the tribe of Simeon in the land of Israel. This location appears in the detailed territorial lists of Joshua 19:6, marking it as part of the southern inheritance distributed among the tribes.
The text presents some geographical complexity, noting that this name is also associated with a place in Judah (Joshua 15:32) or linked to a variant reading involving "Birathi" in 1 Chronicles 4:31. These variations suggest that ancient scribes may have encountered overlapping or confused records regarding the exact boundaries between Simeon and Judah, yet the core meaning of the name remains consistent.
The imagery of lionesses implies a region known for wild animals or perhaps a rugged terrain where such predators were common. By anchoring the name in this vivid description, the biblical text preserves a tangible memory of the land’s character, even as the specific boundaries of tribal allotments shifted over time.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Beth-lebaoth, meaning "house of lionesses," anchors us in the tangible reality of God's promises. In Joshua 19:6, this location is listed among the cities given to Simeon. It reminds us that God’s inheritance includes specific places and boundaries, not just abstract ideas.
While the name evokes images of rugged terrain or wild animals, its primary significance lies in its inclusion in the divine allotment. For believers today, this detail underscores the faithfulness of God to provide for His people in concrete ways. It invites us to trust that He knows our specific needs and circumstances, just as He knew the geography of ancient Israel.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Beth1×
- Lebaoth1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְבָא֖וֹת1×
- וּ/בֵ֥ית1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 19:6
Beth Lebaoth, and Sharuhen; thirteen cities with their villages;
This verse explicitly lists Beth-lebaoth as part of the Simeonite inheritance, highlighting its role in the territorial distribution.