Beth-Shemesh
The Apostles fear not knowing how to preach or what to say. To encourage and inspire them, Jesus takes them to a height at Bethginna from where they can discover the panorama of the historical cities that made Israel's history.
Description
From a hill overlooking the area, Jesus describes the surroundings to his Apostles:"[...] And near it there is Bethshemesh, the sacerdotal town in Judah where the Ark was returned by the Philistines with the gold votive offerings prescribed by the diviners and priests to the people to be freed from the calamities that had struck the guilty Philistines."[1]
Its name
Beth-Shemesh (in Hebrew: בית שמש) means "The house of the sun".
It was so named because of the Canaanite sun goddess, Shemesh.
It should be noted that in the work, Pilate uses the Roman name,[2] Scythopolis, just as it is also the Roman designation that appears on a milestone.[3]
Where is it mentioned in the work?
GRM 215.
Learn more about this place
Beth Shemesh is abundantly mentioned in the Bible.
This city was indeed assigned by Joshua to the Levites and priests.[4] Later, the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant at Apheq (Antipatris), but it caused miracles and plagues in every place where it was kept. The Philistine priests therefore decided to send it back to Israel with gifts.[5]
Explore
- 31° 45’ 04’’ N / 34° 58’ 31’’ E /
- +232m.
Notes and references
Article partially based on the Geographical Dictionary of the Gospel by Jean-François Lavère.