Topical Encyclopedia
Etymology and Meaning:The term "Shemesh" is derived from the Hebrew word for "sun." It is often used in the context of place names in the Bible, signifying locations associated with the sun or sun worship. The name reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of naming places after celestial bodies, which were often deified in surrounding cultures.
Biblical References and Locations:1.
Beth-Shemesh: Beth-Shemesh, meaning "House of the Sun," is a significant location mentioned multiple times in the Old Testament. It was a Levitical city within the territory of Judah, situated near the border with the Philistines. The city is notably referenced in the context of the return of the Ark of the Covenant by the Philistines. After suffering plagues, the Philistines sent the Ark back to Israel on a cart, which came to rest in the field of Joshua of Beth-Shemesh (
1 Samuel 6:12-15). The men of Beth-Shemesh, however, were struck down for looking into the Ark, demonstrating the holiness and power of God (
1 Samuel 6:19).
2.
Ir-Shemesh: Ir-Shemesh, meaning "City of the Sun," is mentioned in the allotment of land to the tribe of Dan (
Joshua 19:41). It is considered to be another name for Beth-Shemesh or a nearby location, reflecting the common practice of naming places after the sun.
3.
En-Shemesh: En-Shemesh, meaning "Spring of the Sun," is a location mentioned in the delineation of the tribal boundaries of Judah and Benjamin (
Joshua 15:7, 18:17). It is identified with a spring or water source, emphasizing the life-giving properties associated with the sun.
Cultural and Religious Significance:In the ancient Near East, the sun was often associated with deities and worshiped as a source of life and power. While the Israelites were commanded to worship Yahweh alone, the presence of sun-related names in their geography indicates the cultural influences and the challenges they faced in maintaining monotheistic worship. The biblical narrative consistently emphasizes the supremacy of Yahweh over any celestial bodies, as seen in the prohibitions against sun worship (
Deuteronomy 4:19).
Theological Implications:The incidents at Beth-Shemesh highlight the holiness of God and the importance of reverence and obedience to His commands. The return of the Ark and the subsequent judgment on the men of Beth-Shemesh serve as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the need for His people to approach Him with respect and awe. The narrative underscores the distinction between the worship of the Creator and the creation, a central theme in the biblical worldview.
Archaeological Insights:Archaeological excavations at sites identified with Beth-Shemesh have revealed evidence of ancient occupation, including fortifications and artifacts that provide insight into the city's historical and cultural context. These findings contribute to our understanding of the biblical narrative and the historical setting of the events described in Scripture.
Conclusion:The references to Shemesh in the Bible, whether as part of place names or in the context of events, serve to illustrate the interaction between the Israelites and their surrounding cultures. They also reinforce the biblical themes of God's holiness, the importance of obedience, and the rejection of idolatry.
Strong's Hebrew
5885. EnShemesh -- "spring of (the) sun," a place on the border...En
Shemesh. 5884, 5885. En
Shemesh. 5886 . "spring of (the) sun," a place
on the border between Judah and Benjamin. Transliteration
...5905. IrShemesh -- "city of the sun," a city in Dan
IrShemesh. 5904, 5905. IrShemesh. 5906 . "city of the sun," a city
in Dan. Transliteration: IrShemesh Phonetic Spelling: (eer...
1053. BethShemesh -- "sun temple," three places in Palestine...
BethShemesh. 1052, 1053. BethShemesh. 1054 . "sun temple," three
places in Palestine, also a place in Egypt. Transliteration...
8121.shemesh -- sun
... 8120, 8121.shemesh. 8122 . sun. Transliteration:shemesh Phonetic Spelling:
(sheh'-mesh) Short Definition: sun.... See also BeythShemesh....
8120. shemash -- to minister
... Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to the root ofshemesh Definition to minister
NASB Word Usage attending (1). minister.... see HEBREWshemesh. 8119, 8120....
8125. Shamsheray -- a Benjamite
... Word Origin from the same asshemesh Definition a Benjamite NASB Word Usage Shamsherai
(1). Shamsherai.... see HEBREWshemesh. 8124, 8125. Shamsheray. 8126 ....
8123. Shimshon -- a deliverer of Isr.
... Word Origin from the same asshemesh Definition a deliverer of Isr.... Samson. From
shemesh; sunlight; Shimshon, an Israelite -- Samson. see HEBREWshemesh....
8122. shemash -- sun
... Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding toshemesh Definition sun NASB Word Usage sunset*
(1). sun. (Aramaic) corresponding toshemesh; the sun -- sun....
3996. mabo -- entrance, a coming in, entering
... From bow'; an entrance (the place or the act); specifically (with or withoutshemesh)
sunset or the west; also (adverb with preposition) towards -- by which...
8124. Shimshay -- a scribe who opposed Isr.
... NASB Word Usage Shimshai (4). Shimshai. (Aramaic) fromshemesh; sunny; Shimshai,
a Samaritan -- Shimshai. see HEBREWshemesh. 8123, 8124. Shimshay. 8125 ....
Library
Importance of Small Things in Religion
... Placing the terrible captive upon a new cart, they left the oxen to bear it as they
pleased, and by divine providence the ark was carried to Beth-shemesh....
Antipatris. Caphar Salama.
... the Gemarists, "From Gebath to Antipatris."""From Gebath to Antipatris (say they)
were sixty myriads of cities, the least of which was Beth-Shemesh." We do...
Repentance and victory
... The ark had spread disaster in Philistia and Beth-shemesh, and the willingness of
the men of Kirjath-jearim to receive it was a token of their devotion....
The Old Testament and Archeology
... At present (1912) the site of ancient Beth-Shemesh is being excavated. The German
Palestine Society was organized in 1877 for a similar purpose....
Heavenly Contemplation Assisted by Sensible Objects, and Guarded...
... there shall be no blood, nor wrath, intermingled; nor shall we cry out, as the men
of Beth-shemesh, "Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God?" How...
Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire...
... and abide at home; for why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt that thou shouldest
fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?" They met near Beth-shemesh, on the...
Thesaurus
Shemesh (24 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Shemesh (24 Occurrences). Joshua
... river. The border passed
along to the waters of En
Shemesh, and ended at En Rogel.
...En-shemesh (2 Occurrences)
En-shemesh. Enshemesh, En-shemesh. En-she'mesh . Easton's Bible Dictionary
Fountain... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. EN-SHEMESH. en...
Ir-shemesh (1 Occurrence)
Ir-shemesh. Irshemesh, Ir-shemesh. Ir-she'mesh . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
IR-SHEMESH. ur-she'-mesh, ir-she'-mesh (`irshemesh, "city of the sun")....
Beth-shemesh (19 Occurrences)
Beth-shemesh. Bethshemesh, Beth-shemesh. Beth-she'mesh . Easton's Bible Dictionary
House of the sun.... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BETH-SHEMESH....
Beth-she'mesh (20 Occurrences)
Beth-she'mesh. Beth-shemesh, Beth-she'mesh. Beth-shemeshite . Multi-Version
Concordance Beth-she'mesh (20 Occurrences). Joshua 15...
Bethshemesh (19 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BETH-SHEMESH.... Analysis and comparison of the passages
in the Bible where a Beth-shemesh is mentioned show four places of this name....
Kiriathjearim
... dan ("the camp of Dan") is described as between Zorah and Eshtaol; see MAHANEH-DAN.)
To this sanctuary the ark of Yahweh was brought, from Beth-shemesh by the...
Kiriath-jearim (17 Occurrences)
... dan ("the camp of Dan") is described as between Zorah and Eshtaol; see MAHANEH-DAN.)
To this sanctuary the ark of Yahweh was brought, from Beth-shemesh by the...
Sunworship
... under special phases, Horus, Tum, Aten; a special seat of sun-worship was Heliopollis,
the Old Testament On, called in Jeremiah 43:13 Beth-shemesh, "house of...
Sun (1708 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Hebrewsshemesh), first mentioned along with the
moon as the two great luminaries of heaven (Genesis 1:14-18)....
Resources
What does the Bible say about sun worship? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was inside the ark of the covenant? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from the tribe of Naphtali? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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