Beth-Shemesh

A Canaanite city on the northern border of Judah’s territory (Joshua 15:10) and the southern border of Dan’s southern portion. Beth-shemesh means “the house of Shamash,” the Canaanite sun god. It was included in the list of cities of Dan as Ir-shemesh (Joshua 19:41). Beth-shemesh was one of the towns of Judah gave to the Levites (Joshua 21:16; 1 Chronicles 6:59). Its inhabitants were called Beth-shemites (1 Samuel 6:14, 18). When the Philistines decided to getrid of the captured ark of the covenant because of the plagues in their cities, they took it to Beth-shemesh. The area was also the scene of a great victory of King Joash (Jehoash) of Israel over King Amaziah of Judah (2 Chronicles 25:21–23). About a century later, Beth-shemesh was captured from King Ahaz of Judah by the Philistines (2 Chronicles 28:16–20). After that, the settlement fell into decline and was finally destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC.

A Canaanite city given to the tribe of Issachar (Joshua 19:22).

A strong Canaanite city given to the tribe of Naphtali (Joshua 19:38). The people who lived in this Beth-shemesh were not kicked out by the Israelites (Judges 1:33).

The term used in the King James Version to describe the Egyptian city of Heliopolis (or On), where the sun was worshiped (Jeremiah 43:13).

See Heliopolis.