Bethel

Bethel occupied an important position along the north-south ridge route through the central hill country. Its location helped make it significant both strategically and religiously throughout several periods of Israelite history.

Excavations at Beitin uncovered remains from the Bronze and Iron Ages and later periods. The archaeological evidence demonstrates a substantial ancient settlement, although individual structures mentioned in the biblical narratives have not been securely identified.

The city belonged at different times to the territories associated with Benjamin and the northern kingdom. After Jeroboam established Bethel as a royal religious center, it became one of the principal sanctuaries of Israel and consequently a frequent target of prophetic criticism.

Most scholars identify biblical Bethel with Beitin, approximately ten miles north of Jerusalem. The similarity of the ancient and modern names, geographical relationships to surrounding biblical sites, historical testimony, and archaeological remains have contributed to this identification.

A minority proposal places Bethel at modern el-Bireh, arguing from ancient road distances, topography, and historical geographical sources. This alternative has not displaced Beitin as the predominant scholarly identification.

AVWJ can therefore locate Bethel at Beitin while noting that its precise identification has been challenged and is not completely beyond dispute.