Meaning
Beth-shemesh house of the sun. (1.) A sacerdotal city in the tribe of Dan (Josh 21:16; 1Sam 6:15), on the north border of Judah (Josh 15:10). It was the scene of an encounter between Jehoash, king of Israel, and Amaziah, king of Judah, in which the latter was made prisoner (2Kings 14:11, 13). It was afterwards taken by the Philistines (2Chr 28:18). It is the modern ruined Arabic village 'Ain-shems, on the north-west slopes of the mountains of Judah, 14 miles west of Jerusalem.
(2.) A city between Dothan and the Jordan, near the southern border of Issachar (Josh 19:22), 7 1/2 miles south of Beth-shean. It is the modern Ain-esh-Shemsiyeh.
(3.) One of the fenced cities of Naphtali (Josh 19:38), between Mount Tabor and the Jordan. Now Khurbet Shema, 3 miles west of Safed. but perhaps the same as No 2.
(4.) An idol sanctuary in Egypt (Jer 43:13); called by the Greeks Heliopolis, and by the Egyptians on (q.v.), Gen 41:45.
