Topical Encyclopedia
Beth-haran, also known as Betharam, is a biblical city mentioned in the Old Testament. It is located in the region of Gilead, east of the Jordan River, and is part of the territory allotted to the tribe of Gad. The name "Beth-haran" means "house of the mountain" or "house of exaltation," reflecting its geographical and possibly spiritual significance.
Biblical References:1.
Numbers 32:36 · In the context of the Israelites' conquest and settlement of the Promised Land, Beth-haran is listed among the cities built by the tribe of Gad. The verse states, "Beth-nimrah and Beth-haran as fortified cities, and folds for sheep."
2.
Joshua 13:27 · The city is mentioned as part of the inheritance of the tribe of Gad. The passage describes the territory of Gad, including "Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran, and Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, with the Jordan as its border, as far as the edge of the Sea of Chinnereth on the east side of the Jordan."
Historical and Geographical Context:Beth-haran was strategically located in the fertile Jordan Valley, making it an important site for agriculture and trade. Its proximity to the Jordan River would have provided access to water resources and facilitated communication and commerce with other regions. The city's fortifications, as mentioned in
Numbers 32:36, suggest its role as a defensive stronghold for the tribe of Gad.
Archaeological Insights:While the exact location of Beth-haran is not definitively identified, it is often associated with the archaeological site of Tell Iktanu or Tell el-Rama. These sites have yielded evidence of ancient settlement patterns consistent with the biblical description of fortified cities in the region.
Theological Significance:Beth-haran's inclusion in the biblical narrative underscores the fulfillment of God's promises to the tribes of Israel regarding their inheritance in the Promised Land. The city's mention alongside other Gadite cities highlights the tribe's role in the settlement and defense of Israel's eastern territories. The fortified nature of Beth-haran reflects the broader theme of God's provision and protection for His people as they established themselves in the land He had given them.
Beth-haran serves as a testament to the historical and spiritual journey of the Israelites, illustrating the intersection of divine promise and human responsibility in the unfolding account of God's covenant with His people.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Beth-Haranhouse of grace
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BETH-HARANbeth-ha'-ran (beth haran): A fenced city East of the Jordan (Numbers 32:36) identical with BETH-HARAM, which see.
Strong's Hebrew
1028.Beth Haran --Beth-haranBeth Haran. 1027, 1028.
Beth Haran. 1029 .
Beth-
haran. Transliteration:
BethHaran Phonetic Spelling: (bayth haw-rawn') Short Definition:
Beth-
haran.
...1027. Beth Haram -- "house of the height," a place East of the...
... Word Origin from bayith and perhaps rum Definition "house of the height," a place
E. of the Jordan NASB Word Usage Beth-haram (1),Beth-haran (1). Beth-aram....
Library
Perea. Beyond Jordan.
... Baal, and Beth-Baal-Meon," &c. "The valley of it isBeth-Haran, and
Beth-Nimrah, and Succoth," &c. The mention of the mountains...
Thesaurus
Bethharan (1 Occurrence)... ha'-ran (
bethharan): A fenced city East of the Jordan (Numbers 32:36) identical
with BETH-HARAM, which see. Multi-Version Concordance
Bethharan (1 Occurrence).
...Beth-haran (1 Occurrence)
Beth-haran.Bethharan,Beth-haran. Beth-har'an . Int.... (ASV BBE DBY JPS WBS YLT
NAS).Bethharan,Beth-haran. Beth-har'an . Reference Bible.
Beth-har'an (1 Occurrence)
Beth-har'an.Beth-haran, Beth-har'an. Bethhogla .... Numbers 32:36 and Beth-nimrah,
andBeth-haran; fortified cities, and folds for sheep. (See RSV)....
Nimrah (3 Occurrences)
... Numbers 32:36 and Beth Nimrah, andBethHaran: fortified cities, and folds
for sheep. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)....
Walled (63 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Numbers 32:36 And Beth-nimrah andBeth-haran: walled towns and shut-in places
for sheep. (BBE). Deuteronomy 1:28 Whither shall we go up?...
Folds (18 Occurrences)
... RSV). Numbers 32:36 and Beth Nimrah, andBethHaran: fortified cities, and
folds for sheep. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)....
Fenced (61 Occurrences)
... (KJV). Numbers 32:36 And Bethnimrah, andBethharan, fenced cities: and folds
for sheep. (KJV). Deuteronomy 1:28 whither are we going up?...
Pens (8 Occurrences)
... your mouth." (See NIV). Numbers 32:36 and Beth Nimrah, andBethHaran: fortified
cities, and folds for sheep. (See NIV). 1 Samuel 24...
Beth-nimrah (2 Occurrences)
... Beth-nimrah (2 Occurrences). Numbers 32:36 and Beth-nimrah, andBeth-haran: fortified
cities, and folds for sheep. (ASV BBE DBY JPS WBS YLT NAS)....
Bethharam
... Beth-Aram): An Amorite city taken and fortified by the Gadites (Joshua 13:27 Numbers
32:36; in the latter passage the name appears asBeth-haran, probably the...
Resources
What is the significance of Bethel in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Haran in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Lot in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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