Beeroth (Hastings' Dictionary)
One of the confeder- ate Hivite cities which wilily made alliance with Joahua aiter the overthrow of Ai (Jos 9'"). It was afterw-ards in the territory of Benjamin (Jos 18*). The Beerothites, like the Gibeomtes, main- tained their independence as a tribe in Israel even after the return from the Exile (Ezr2", Neh 7®). The occasion of their flight to Gittaim (2 S 4') is not mentioned ; and it is uncertain if that is the town named (Neh 11^).
Rimmon, the father of the mur- derers of Ishbosheth, and Naharai, Joab's armour- bearer (2 S 23'" KVm, 1 Ch 11 ^»), were Beerothites. It is identified with Bireh, 8 miles N. of Jerusalem on the great northern road, the usual halting place on the first night from Jerusalem. Tradi- tion connects it with the story of Lk 2"- *' as the place whence Mary and Joseph returned to Jeru- salem.
There is no reason to doubt the correctness of this tradition, as the distance is convenient, and the usage of Eastern caravans seldom changes. A. Henderson. BEEROTH-BENE-JAAKAN (isj^: •;? nix?), in Dt 10« KV ; ' Beeroth of the children of Jaakan,' AV, LXX BijpuS. The place is called Bene-jaakan in the list of stations, Nu 33"-". From Gn 36-'', 1 Ch 1** the Bene-jaakan are descendants of Seir the Horite, and the name of the adjacent station, Hor-haggidgad (which see), contains in.
The border of Seir or Edom is the probable situation of this unidentified spot. A. T. Chapman.
This topic also has an entry in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Both articles offer independent scholarly perspectives.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on Beeroth
Beeroth be-e'-roth, be'-er-oth (be'eroth; Beroth): One of the cities of the Canaanites whose inhabitants succeeded in deceiving Israel, and in making a covenant with them (Jos 9:3 ff). Apparently they were Hivites (Jos 9:7). The occasion on which the Beerothites fled to Gittaim where they preserved their communal identity is not indicated. The town was reckoned to Benjamin (2Sa 4:2 f). Eusebius, Onomasticon places it under Gibeon, 7 Roman miles from Jerusalem on the way to Nicopolis (Amwas). If we follow the old road by way of Gibeon (el-Jib) and Bethhoron, Beeroth would lie probably to the Northwest of el-Jib. The traditional identification is with el-Bireh, about 8 miles from Jerusalem on the great north road. If the order in which the towns are mentioned (Jos 9:17; 18:25) is any guide as to position, el-Bireh is too far to the Northwest. The identification is precarious. To Beeroth belonged the murderers of Ish-bosheth (2Sa 4:2), and Naharai, Joab's armor-bearer (2Sa 23:37; 1Ch 11:39). It was reoccupied after the Exile (Ezr 2:25; Ne 7:29). ⇒See a list of verses on BEEROTH in the B…
Smith's Bible Dictionary on Beeroth
(wells), one of the four cities of the Hivites who deluded Joshua into a treaty of peace with them. (Joshua 9:17) It is now el-Bireh, which stands about 10 miles north of Jerusalem.
Fausset's Bible Dictionary on Beeroth
("wells".) One of the four Hivite cities (the others being Gibeon, Chephirah, and Kirjath Jearim: Jos 9:17), which obtained peace with Joshua by false pretenses. Allotted to Benjamin (Jos 18:25). Ishbosheth's murderers Baanah and Rechab, and their father Rimmon, belonged to it. Its original occupants repaired to the Philistine Gittaim (Neh 11:33; 2Sa 4:2-3; 2Sa 4:7). The men of Beeroth were among those who returned from Babylon (Ezr 2:25). Now El-bireh, on the road to Nablus, ten miles N. of Jerusalem, below a ridge bounding the northward view. The traditional site of Jesus' parents not finding Him in their company (Luk 2:43-45). The usual halt at the first day's close for caravans going N. from Jerusalem. Naharai, one of David's mighty men, was a Beerothite (1Ch 11:39).
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Easton, M.G. (1893) Easton's Bible Dictionary. 3rd edn. Thomas Nelson. [Public Domain]
- Nave, O.J. (1897) Nave's Topical Bible. Topical Bible Publishing Co.. [Public Domain]
- Hastings, J. (ed.) (1909) A Dictionary of the Bible. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Smith, W. (ed.) (1884) Smith's Bible Dictionary. London: John Murray. [Public Domain]
- Fausset, A.R. (1878) Fausset's Bible Dictionary. [Public Domain]A Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopaedia