Beth-shemesh was a border town in the territory of Issachar. (Joshua 19:22)
Beth-shemesh
PlaceBorder town of Issachar.
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en
Beth-shemesh
house of the sun
- en Beth Shemesh · Also called
- he בֵּית שֶׁ֫מֶשׁ · H1053H
- bg Ветсемес
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Beth-shemesh, meaning "house of the sun" in Hebrew, is mentioned in Joshua 19:22 as a border town in the territory allotted to the tribe of Issachar. This Beth-shemesh is distinct from the more well-known city of the same name in Judah.
The town is listed along with other cities and towns in Issachar's inheritance, such as Tabor, Shahazimah, and En-gannim. Its inclusion in this list suggests that it was located on the border of Issachar's territory, possibly adjacent to the territories of other tribes.
No other information about this Beth-shemesh is provided in the Bible, and it is not mentioned in any other historical or archaeological context. Its name, "house of the sun," may refer to the presence of a shrine or temple dedicated to the sun god, or it could be related to a local geographical feature.
The exact location of Beth-shemesh in Issachar is uncertain, but it was likely situated in the region of the Jezreel Valley, which was known for its fertile land and strategic importance.
A city between Dothan and the Jordan, near the southern border of Issachar (Josh. 19:22), 7 1/2 miles south of Beth-shean. It is the modern Ain-esh-Shemsiyeh.
Sources: OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding Data (CC BY 4.0, a3bb26d) · STEPBible TIPNR (CC BY 4.0, Beth-shemesh@Jos.19.22) · Theographic Bible Metadata (CC BY-SA 4.0, beth-shemesh_235)