Bible Encyclopedias
Bezek

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

bē´zek ( בּזק , bezeḳ ; Βέζεκ , Bézek , Codex Vaticanus, Ἀβιέζεκ , Abiézek ):

(1) The city of Adoni-bezek taken by Judah and Simeon (Judges 1:4 f), in the territory allotted to Judah. It is somewhat doubtfully identified with Bezḳah , about 3 miles Northeast of Gezer.

(2) The place where Saul marshaled his army before marching to the relief of Jabesh-gilead (1 Samuel 11:8 ). Eusebius, Onomasticon speaks of two villages of this name 17 Roman miles from Shechem, on the way to Scythopolis. No doubt Khirbet Ibzı̄ḳ is intended. Here, or on the neighboring height, Rās Ibzı̄ḳ , a mountain 2,404 ft. above sea level, the army probably assembled.