בֵּית שֶׁ֫מֶשׁ (bet she.mesh)
bet she.mesh
Beth-shemesh
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 18 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The name Beth-shemesh, meaning "house of the sun," identifies several distinct locations in the Hebrew Bible. The most frequently mentioned is a town in southwest Judah, where the Ark of the Covenant briefly rested before being moved to Kiriath-jearim (1 Samuel 6:9-12). This settlement appears often in historical records, including lists of fortified cities in Joshua and Chronicles.
Lexical sources note that the same name applies to other places, such as a town in the tribe of Naphtali and another in Issachar. Some scholars also connect the name with On, an ancient Egyptian city known for its sun worship, suggesting that the Hebrew phrase may have originally described a temple dedicated to solar deities before becoming a standard place name in Israel.
The repetition of this name across different tribes highlights how common religious or astronomical terms were in ancient toponyms. While the Judahite Beth-shemesh is central to the narrative of the Ark, the existence of other towns with the same name reflects the widespread cultural influence of sun imagery in the ancient Near East.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Beth-shemesh, meaning "house of the sun," appears in Scripture as a place where ordinary life met divine intervention. The name itself points to ancient cultural contexts where solar imagery was common, yet the biblical narrative uses this location to highlight God's sovereignty over all human systems. In 1 Samuel 6, the people were harvesting wheat when the Ark arrived. Their joy turned to solemn reverence after witnessing God's holiness, reminding us that encountering the sacred requires humility and respect.
This town also served as a stage for political conflict, where kings faced each other in battle (2 Kings 14). These historical layers show that Beth-shemesh was not just a geographic point but a witness to Israel's spiritual highs and lows. For readers today, the name invites reflection on how we treat the holy in our own lives. It encourages us to approach God with both gratitude for His presence and awe for His majesty.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 18 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Shemesh20×
- Beth12×
- at/ Beth4×
- and/ Beth3×
- and/ in Beth1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שֶׁ֔מֶשׁ6×
- בֵֽית\־5×
- שָׁ֑מֶשׁ4×
- שֶׁ֖מֶשׁ4×
- וּ/בֵ֣ית4×
- בֵּ֣ית3×
- שֶׁ֙מֶשׁ֙2×
- שֶׁ֗מֶשׁ2×
- בֵּֽית\־2×
- בֵּ֥ית2×
- בְּ/בֵ֥ית2×
- בְּ/בֵ֣ית2×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 6:13
The people of Beth Shemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley; and they lifted up their eyes and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it.
This verse captures the moment of unexpected joy as the people see the Ark during their harvest, showing God's grace arriving in ordinary daily life.
-
I Samuel 6:20
The men of Beth Shemesh said, “Who is able to stand before Yahweh, this holy God? To whom shall he go up from us?”
Here the men of Beth-shemesh ask who can stand before God, highlighting the tension between human curiosity and divine holiness.
-
II Kings 14:13
Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Beth Shemesh and came to Jerusalem, then broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
This reference marks a turning point in national history where the city becomes the site of a king's capture, illustrating how earthly power is subject to God's broader plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Beth-shemesh mean?
Why is Beth-shemesh important in 1 Samuel?
Is Beth-shemesh mentioned in the New Testament?
Every Occurrence (18 verses across 7 books)
Joshua 4 verses
and the border turned about from Baalah westward to Mount Seir, and passed along to the side of Mount Jearim (also…
Joshua 19:22The border reached to Tabor, Shahazumah, and Beth Shemesh. Their border ended at the Jordan: sixteen cities with their…
Joshua 19:38Iron, Migdal El, Horem, Beth Anath, and Beth Shemesh; nineteen cities with their villages.
Joshua 21:16Ain with its pasture lands, Juttah with its pasture lands, and Beth Shemesh with its pasture lands: nine cities out of…