Beeroth
South of Bethel on the road to Ramah (Judea).
Description
"Beyond Bethel lies Beroth. What subtle treachery from the ancient inhabitants of the place and neighboring areas! But it resulted in Good."[1]
Notable facts
A stop on the road to Jerusalem, from the north. Coming from Bethel, Jesus stops in this town during the Pilgrimage of the second Passover. "Now we must leave so as to arrive at Beroth early. The crowd increases and the time threatens. The shelters will be stormed, and I do not want you to fall ill"[2] He advises His Disciples.
Its name
האל ביר (Al Bira)[3]
Beroth (Beérot) means "the wells". Today El-Bireh (Al Bira) 15 km north of Jerusalem.
Where is it mentioned in the work?
EMV 194 EMV 195
EMV 560 EMV 565
Learn more about this place
The inhabitants of Beroth were part of the Gibeonite confederation. Having learned of the destruction by Joshua of Jericho and Ai, they decided to pose as travelers from a distant land in order to make a Covenant with the Hebrews. Once done, the Hebrews, discovering the deception, could not massacre them but, on the other hand, enslaved them[4].
[5]The topography supports this description, as the reading of the Bible confirms the allusion to Rechab and Baanah. Located three Hours' walk from Jerusalem, its inexhaustible spring was a natural stop for caravans. Tradition places here the spot where Joseph and Mary realized Jesus’ disappearance after the Passover of his coming of age (Lk 2:44)[6].
Explore
31° 54’ 22’’ N / 35° 12’ 35’’ E / +885m