Bible Dictionary
Aven
Aven means vanity or nothingness. It is used as a term of contempt for idolatrous centers, including Beth-aven, and also refers to places associated with Heliopolis in Egypt and Syria.
Biblical Usage
Hosea calls Bethel Beth-aven, “house of vanity,” because of Jeroboam’s golden calves. Aven also denotes On, or Heliopolis, in Egypt, and the valley of Aven near Damascus, associated with Baalbek. The word is rendered “idol” in Isaiah 66:3.
Scripture References