Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

BETH-HACCHEREM

(Heb. -hakkerem)

A town 4 km. (2.58 mi.) S of Jerusalem, most recently identified with Ramat Rael (1708.1275). It was noted as the site of a “fire signal station,” where signal messages to and from Jerusalem and surrounding towns and military sites would be relayed (Jer. 6:1). During the Persian period it was the site of the administrative headquarters for the district of Judah S of Jerusalem (Neh. 3:14).

Several other locations have been offered as possible sites, most notably the village of ʿAin Kârim (6.5 km. [4 mi.] W of Jerusalem). There are ruins on Jebel ʿAli, overlooking this village, which could have been a signal station, but this location conflicts with the geographic reference of Jeremiah. Qumran documents (3Q15 [3QInv]; 1QapGen) indicate a site of the same name in the King’s Valley (2 Sam. 18:18), but this location cannot be reconciled with the references of Jeremiah or Nehemiah. The most convincing evidence points to Ramat Rael, which most closely fits the OT and other sources.

Bibliography. Y. Aharoni, “The Citadel of Ramat Rahel,” Archaeology 18 (1965): 15-25; M. Avi-Yonah, The Holy Land, rev. ed. (Grand Rapids, 1977); N. Glueck, Explorations in Eastern Palestine IV. AASOR 25-28 (New Haven, 1951).

Dennis M. Swanson







Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)

Info Language Arrow Return to Top
Prayer Tents is a Christian mission organization that serves Christians around the world and their local bodies to make disciples ("evangelize") more effectively in their communities. Prayer Tents provides resources to enable Christians to form discipleship-focused small groups and make their gatherings known so that other "interested" people may participate and experience Christ in their midst. Our Vision is to make disciples in all nations through the local churches so that anyone seeking God can come to know Him through relationships with other Christians near them.

© Prayer Tents 2024.
Prayer Tents Facebook icon Prayer Tents Twitter icon Prayer Tents Youtube icon Prayer Tents Linkedin icon