Bible Dictionaries
Beth-Shemesh

Easton's Bible Dictionary

House of the sun.
  • A sacerdotal city in the tribe of Dan (Joshua 21:16; 1 Samuel 6:15 ), on the north border of Judah (Joshua 15:10 ). It was the scene of an encounter between Jehoash, king of Israel, and Amaziah, king of Judah, in which the latter was made prisoner (2 Kings 14:11,13 ). It was afterwards taken by the Philistines (2 Chronicles 28:18 ). It is the modern ruined Arabic village 'Ain-shems, on the north-west slopes of the mountains of Judah, 14 miles west of Jerusalem.

  • A city between Dothan and the Jordan, near the southern border of Issachar (Joshua 19:22 ), 7 1/2 miles south of Beth-shean. It is the modern Ain-esh-Shemsiyeh.

  • One of the fenced cities of Naphtali ( Joshua 19:38 ), between Mount Tabor and the Jordan. Now Khurbet Shema, 3 miles west of Safed. But perhaps the same as No. 2.

  • An idol sanctuary in Egypt (Jeremiah 43:13 ); called by the Greeks Heliopolis, and by the Egyptians On (q.v.), Genesis 41:45 .

    Bibliography Information
    Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Beth-Shemesh'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​ebd/​b/beth-shemesh.html. 1897.