בֵּית שְׁאָן (bet she.an)
bet she.an
Beth-shean
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The name Beth-shean, meaning "house of ease" or "place of quiet," identifies an ancient city located in the territory of Manasseh on the western side of the Jordan River. This location appears eight times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily within the narratives of Joshua, 1 Samuel, and 1 Kings.
Its geographical position made it a strategic foothold for controlling the Jezreel Valley. The sources highlight its role in military history, particularly as the site where the Philistines displayed the bodies of King Saul and his sons after their defeat (1 Samuel 31:10). Later texts note its inclusion among the fortified cities assigned to the Levites (1 Kings 4:12), reflecting its enduring administrative importance despite its name suggesting tranquility.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Beth-shean stands as a reminder that human plans often meet complex realities. The tribe of Manasseh was assigned this strategic valley, yet they struggled to fully displace the fortified inhabitants there. This history shows us that spiritual inheritance sometimes requires persistent effort and reliance on God’s strength rather than our own immediate capacity.
Later, the city became the backdrop for a somber moment in Israel’s history, where the bodies of Saul and his sons were displayed after battle. Yet, David’s subsequent action to retrieve their bones with honor reveals a heart that values dignity and covenant loyalty even in defeat. This word anchors us in the tangible history of God’s people, reminding us that our faith is lived out in real places with real challenges.
Whether viewing it as a place of administrative order under Solomon or a site of past conflict, Beth-shean invites reflection on how God works through history. It encourages us to trust His sovereignty over our own circumstances, knowing that He brings purpose and restoration even from difficult chapters.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Beth7×
- Shean5×
- Shan4×
- from/ Beth1×
- [are] in/ Beth1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בֵּית\־3×
- שְׁאָן֙2×
- שְׁאָ֣ן2×
- בֵּ֣ית2×
- שָֽׁן\׃1×
- שָׁ֑ן1×
- שַׁ֗ן1×
- שְׁאָ֤ן1×
- שְׁאָ֡ן1×
- מִ/בֵּ֤ית1×
- בֵּֽית\־1×
- בֵּ֥ית1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 31:10
They put his armor in the house of the Ashtaroth, and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth Shan.
This verse highlights the city's role as a place of public humiliation for Israel's first king, marking a low point in the nation's history.
-
I Samuel 31:12
all the valiant men arose, went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth Shan; and they came to Jabesh and burned them there.
Here the word appears in the context of David’s men retrieving the bodies, showing respect for Saul despite his failures and the tragic circumstances.
-
Judges 1:27
Manasseh didn’t drive out the inhabitants of Beth Shean and its towns, nor Taanach and its towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and its towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and its towns; but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.
This occurrence notes the incomplete conquest of the city, illustrating the ongoing struggle between the tribe of Manasseh and the local Canaanites.