Bible Dictionary
Beeroth
Beeroth means “wells.” It was a Hivite city whose inhabitants made a deceptive covenant with Joshua, and it was later counted among the towns of Benjamin.
Definition
Beeroth means “wells.” It was one of the cities whose Hivite inhabitants deceived Joshua and Israel into making a covenant of peace. The city was assigned to Benjamin and was later associated with men serving in David’s kingdom.
Biblical Usage
Beeroth appears in the account of the Hivites’ deceptive treaty with Israel. It was reckoned to Benjamin, and Beerothites are mentioned in connection with the murder of Ish-bosheth and with David’s officials.
Historical Background
Beeroth has traditionally been identified with el-Bireh, north of Jerusalem, though the identification is described as precarious. The town was reoccupied after the Exile.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Wells, one of the four cities of the Hivites which entered by fraud into a league with Joshua. It belonged to Benjamin (Josh. 18:25). It has by some been identified with el-Bireh on the way to Nablus, 10 miles north of Jerusalem.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(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.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>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).</p><p>W. Ewing</p>