Beth-Shemesh of Judah (בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ, beith shemesh). A city whose name means “house/temple of the sun” (referring to the Canaanite sun god Shamash). It was located in the Valley of Sorek on the northern border of the territory of Judah (Josh 15:10). It is called Ir-shemesh in Josh 19:41, where it is listed as part of the southern border of the territory of Dan. It was one of the Levitical cities of Judah (Josh 21:16; 1 Chr 6:59).

In 1 Samuel 6, the Philistines tried to rid themselves of the ark of the covenant by sending it to Beth-Shemesh. Later, the city was included in Solomon’s second administrative district (1 Kgs 4:9). In the eighth century bc, King Amaziah of Judah and King Jehoash of Israel fought a battle at Beth-Shemesh, which Jehoash won (2 Kgs 14:11–13; 2 Chr 25:21–23). Less than 100 years later, the Philistines captured Beth-Shemesh during the reign of Ahaz (2 Chr 28:18).

The ruins of the ancient city have been excavated at Tell er-Rumeileh, and the ancient name was partially preserved in the name of the nearby village of ‘Ain Shems.

Elliot Ritzema