Beth-Shean
Capital of the Decapolis, Beth-Shean is mentioned in the work by Jesus as the very example of Hebrew names renamed by the Romans. Beth-Shean, which became Scythopolis, was indeed a place of memory evoking the tragic end of King Saul and his sons.
Description
Maria Valtorta does not specify whether Jesus passed through Beth-Shean or not, but the city is mentioned three times in the work[1]. The Romans rebuilt Beth-Shean in 63 BC and named it Scythopolis. It became the capital of the Decapolis, well situated west of the Jordan, 27 km south of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus refers to it by both of its names: “Betscan[2] called Scythopolis, like many other cities which, by the will of the Romans or that of their flattering vassals, took the name imposed by domination or flattery[3]”
It should be noted that in the work, Pilate uses the Roman name in his invective[4], Scythopolis, just as it is also the Roman designation that appears on a milestone[5].
Its name
Other spellings: Beït Shéan, Beit-Chean, Beit Chéan, Bet She'an, Beth Shean, Beth-Shan. Note that the name Betscan written phonetically by Maria Valtorta is closely related to the latter name.
"Beth" (or "Beit") means "house" in Hebrew. "Shéan" (or "Shan") is generally interpreted as meaning "tranquility" or "rest." Beth-Shéan can be translated as "House of Tranquility" or "House of Rest." This likely reflects the site's importance as a place of safety or peace.
Scythopolis means "city of the Scythians." This name possibly derives from the Scythian archers employed by the Roman army. The Decapolis being Greek-speaking explains the Greek form of the name.
Where is it mentioned in the work?
EMV 478 EMV 566
Learn more about this place
Saul, the first king of Israel, suffered a defeat against the Philistines in the Battle of Mount Gilboa[6], a site near Beth-Shean. His three sons were killed, including Jonathan, the friend of the future king David. About to be captured, Saul fell on his sword. Discovering their bodies, the Philistines hung them on the walls of Beth-Shean where they remained until inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead came to retrieve them and give them a decent burial.[7]
Explore
- 32° 30’ 14’’ N / 35° 30’ 15’’ E /
- -150m.
Notes and references
- ↑ Article partially written based on the Geographical Dictionary of the Gospel, J.-F. LAVÈRE.
- ↑ Phonetic spelling transcribed by Maria Valtorta in the original edition and used again in the first French edition.
- ↑ EMV 566.19.
- ↑ EMV 549.14.
- ↑ EMV 478.1.
- ↑ Mount Gilboa (Gilboa, Gelboa) is mentioned by Maria Valtorta, who does not name it, in EMV 259.1: "from more distant mountains, whose name I do not know, that conceal the Jordan and meet the mountains of Samaria to the southeast."
- ↑ 1 Samuel 31:8-13.