Topical Encyclopedia
Beth-nimrah, meaning "house of pure water" or "house of leopard," is a location mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the context of the tribal allotments of the Israelites. It is situated east of the Jordan River and is associated with the territory given to the tribe of Gad.
Biblical References:1.
Numbers 32:36 : "Beth-nimrah and Beth-haran as fortified cities, and they built folds for their flocks." This verse highlights the strategic and pastoral significance of Beth-nimrah. The Gadites fortified the city, indicating its importance as a defensive location and a center for livestock, which was a crucial aspect of their economy and sustenance.
2.
Joshua 13:27 : "And in the valley: Beth-haram, Beth-nimrah, Succoth, and Zaphon—the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, with the Jordan as its border, to the lower end of the Sea of Chinnereth on the east side of the Jordan." This passage places Beth-nimrah within the broader context of the land conquered by the Israelites under Moses and later distributed by Joshua. It underscores the city's location in the fertile Jordan Valley, which was part of the inheritance of the tribe of Gad.
Historical and Geographical Context:Beth-nimrah was located in the Transjordan region, an area known for its rich pastures and strategic importance. The city was part of the land that the Israelites took from the Amorite king Sihon, as described in the conquest narratives of the Pentateuch. The Gadites, one of the tribes that settled east of the Jordan, were known for their warrior prowess and pastoral lifestyle, making Beth-nimrah an ideal location for their needs.
The mention of Beth-nimrah alongside other cities like Beth-haran and Succoth suggests a network of settlements that supported the tribe's agricultural and military activities. The fortification of Beth-nimrah indicates its role as a protective outpost against potential threats from neighboring peoples and as a safeguard for the valuable resources in the region.
Archaeological Insights:While the exact location of Beth-nimrah is debated, it is generally identified with the site of Tell Nimrin, located in modern-day Jordan. Archaeological findings in the area have revealed evidence of ancient settlement, including fortifications and agricultural installations, which align with the biblical description of the city as a fortified center for the Gadites.
Theological Significance:Beth-nimrah serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to the descendants of Abraham. The allocation of this fertile and strategically significant land to the tribe of Gad reflects the divine provision and the realization of the covenantal promises made to the patriarchs. The city's mention in the biblical narrative underscores the importance of obedience and trust in God's plan, as the tribes settled and thrived in the land He had designated for them.
In summary, Beth-nimrah is a significant biblical site that illustrates the historical, geographical, and theological dimensions of the Israelite settlement in the Promised Land. Its role as a fortified city and pastoral center highlights the practical and spiritual aspects of the Israelite experience in the Transjordan region.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Beth-Nimrahhouse of rebellion
ATS Bible Dictionary
Beth-NimrahNumbers 32:3,36;Joshua 13:27, and Nimrim,Isaiah 15:6;Jeremiah 48:34; a town in Gad, a little east of the Jordan, on a watercourse leading, from near Ramoth-Gilead, southwest into that river.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BETH-NIMRAHbeth-nim'-ra (beth nimrah, "house of leopard,"Numbers 32:36, but in verseNumbers 32:3 it is simply Nimrah): InJoshua 13:27 the full name appears. InIsaiah 15:6 the name appears as Nimrim, identified as Tell Nimrim, between Jericho and the mountains on the east, where there is a fountain of large size. The city was assigned to Gad. In the 4th century A.D. it was located as five Roman miles North of Livias. Eusebius calls it Bethamnaram (SEP, I, Tell Nimrin).
NIMRAH; BETH-NIMRAH
nim'-ra (nimrah; Codex Vaticanus Nambra; Codex Alexandrinus Ambram), or (beth nimrah; Codex Vaticanus Namram; Codex Alexandria Ambran (Numbers 32:36); Codex Vaticanus Baithanabra; Codex Alexandrinus Bethamna (Joshua 13:27)): These two names evidently refer to the same place; but there is no reason to think, as some have done, from the similarity of the names, that it is identical with NIMRIM (which see). On the contrary, the indications of the passages cited point to a site East of the Jordan valley and Nimrah of the Dead Sea. About 11 miles Northeast of the mouth of the Jordan, where Wady Nimrin, coming down from the eastern up-lands, enters the plain, stands a hill called Tell Nimrin, with tombs and certain traces of ancient building. This may be certainly identified with Nimrah and Beth-nimrah; and it corresponds to Bethnambris of Eusebius, Onomasticon, which lay 5 Roman miles Nimrah of Livias.
W. Ewing
Strong's Hebrew
1039.Beth Nimrah -- "place of a leopard," a place East of the...Beth Nimrah. 1038, 1039.
Beth Nimrah. 1040 . "place of a leopard," a place
East of the Jordan. Transliteration:
Beth Nimrah Phonetic
...Library
Perea. Beyond Jordan.
... Baal, and Beth-Baal-Meon," &c. "The valley of it is Beth-Haran, and
Beth-Nimrah, and Succoth," &c. The mention of the mountains...
Thesaurus
Bethnimrah (2 Occurrences)...nimrah; and it corresponds to Bethnambris of Eusebius, Onomasticon, which lay 5
Roman miles Nimrah of Livias. W. Ewing. Multi-Version Concordance
Bethnimrah (2
...Beth-nimrah (2 Occurrences)
Beth-nimrah.Bethnimrah,Beth-nimrah. Beth-nim'rah . Int.... (ASV BBE DBY JPS WBS
YLT NAS).Bethnimrah,Beth-nimrah. Beth-nim'rah . Reference Bible.
Nimrah (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Pure, a city on the east of Jordan (Numbers 32:3); probably
the same asBeth-nimrah (Joshua 13:27).... NIMRAH;BETH-NIMRAH....
Bethabara (1 Occurrence)
... Codex Vaticanus) we find Baithanabra forBethnimrah (Massoretic Text), and Sir George
Grove in DB (arts. "Bethabara" and "Beth-nimrah") identifies Bethabara...
Leopard (6 Occurrences)
... Revelation 13:2; Ecclesiasticus 28:23); compare nimrim Nimrim (Isaiah 15:6 Jeremiah
48:34), nimrah, Nimrah (Numbers 32:3), andbeth-nimrah,Beth-nimrah...
Beth-nim'rah (2 Occurrences)
Beth-nim'rah.Beth-nimrah, Beth-nim'rah. Bethpalet .... Numbers 32:36 and
Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran; fortified cities, and folds for sheep. (See RSV)....
Beth (115 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Numbers 32:36 andBethNimrah,
and Beth Haran: fortified cities, and folds for sheep....
Succoth (18 Occurrences)
... his cattle (Genesis 33:17). It was in the territory of Gad, and is mentioned
withBeth-nimrah (Joshua 13:27). In his pursuit of...
Zaphon (4 Occurrences)
... Joshua 13:27 and in the valley, Beth Haram,BethNimrah, Succoth, and Zaphon, the
rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, the Jordan's bank, to the...
Kinnereth (7 Occurrences)
... Joshua 13:27 and in the valley, Beth-haram, andBeth-nimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon,
the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, the Jordan being the...
Resources
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