Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

BETH-SHAN

(Heb. bêṯ-šan),
BETH-SHEAN (bêṯ-šĕʾān)

Tell of Beth-shean, with Roman Scythopolis below (Phoenix Data Systems, Neal and Joel Bierling)

A site at the junction of the Jezreel and Jordan Valleys (1977.2124) which stands sentinel over the east-west and north-south trade routes that pass through the valleys. The region is fertile with water available from the µarod River which flows north of the site. The summit of Tel Beth-shean/Tell el-µuṣn covers ca. 4 ha. (10 a.) and stands imposingly 80 m. (260 ft.) above the river. Access to the summit is via a saddle of land on the northwest corner where an ancient gate has been located. Otherwise, the slopes of the tell are a daunting 30° incline. The physical characteristics of the site may have contributed to its name, “house of quiet/rest.”

The first biblical references to the site narrate Israel’s inability to conquer it (Josh. 17:11; Judg. 1:27). Apparently the Philistines controlled Beth-shean for some time because they impaled the bodies of Saul and his sons on the city’s temple wall (1 Sam. 31:12). Eventually the city came under Israelite control and appears as part of the Solomonic administrative districts (1 Kgs. 4:12).

Extrabiblical references to the site include Thutmose III’s annals and the Amarna tablets. Stelae at Beth-shean indicate Egyptian presence during the reigns of Seti I, Ramses II, and Ramses III.

During Hellenistic and Roman times, the site was known as Scythopolis (or Nysa Scythopolis; cf. 2 Macc. 12:29) and was part of the Decapolis (cf. Matt. 4:25; Mark 5:20; 7:31).

Excavations at Beth-shean began under the auspices of the University of Pennsylvania (1921-33) under the directorships of C. S. Fisher, Alan Rowe, and Gerald FitzGerald. The Israelis have excavated the tell and surrounding areas since 1961, directed by Gideon Foerster, Yoram Tsafrir, Yigael Yadin, Shulamit Geva, Amihai Mazar, and Gaby Mazor.

Until Roman times, most settlements were on the mound. Remains from the Pottery Neolithic B period along with some from the Chalcolithic have come to light (strata XVIII-XVII; the Chalcolithic has been fairly well represented in remains at the foot of the tell). Oval buildings, multi-room structures, and intersecting streets represent the Early Bronze Age (XVI-XI). The distinctive EB III Khirbet Kerak ware appears in abundance.

With only some evidence of tombs from MB IIA, the site appears to have been unoccupied until MB IIB. But even with its resettlement, the unusual feature of the MB IIB period is the lack of fortifications, which were so prevalent at other MB sites.

During the Late Bronze Age, Beth-shean grew, and excavations have uncovered a sequence of temples each built over the remains of the former. Stratum IX preserves the remains of a complex temple enclosure built over the remains of an earlier one and oriented on an east-west axis. Various altars and cult rooms were found and Egyptian remains have connected the stratum with Thutmose III (ca. 1450 b.c.). Few remains of stratum VIII have been found, but the next stratum (VII) had another temple oriented north-south which likely was built during the hegemony of Ramses II (ca. 1270). This temple preserved characteristic Egyptian motifs, and the residents recovered from an earlier period a stela of Seti I and placed it in the temple.

The temple continues in stratum VI, but with some modification. Egyptian presence is further indicated by the numerous Egyptian-style paraphernalia including several cartouches and a basalt statue of Ramses III. The stratum ended with extensive conflagration, which was likely caused by an invasion of the Sea Peoples.

The stratigraphy of stratum V is confused, but to this period probably belonged a pair of temples which were oriented to the east. These likely were the temples where the bodies of Saul and his sons were impaled as trophies of war (1 Sam. 31:10; 1 Chr. 10:10). Numerous ceramic cultic vessels with molded serpents, animals, and human figures came from these temples as well as stelae of Seti I, Ramses II, and a statue of Ramses III. The stratum ended by fire, perhaps as a result of David’s capture of the site. Afterward the city became part of Solomon’s administrative districts (1 Kgs. 4:12), and the temple areas seem to have been converted to administrative quarters.

The next stratum had remains of buildings similar to the stables/storehouses of other Israelite towns (e.g., Megiddo, Beer-sheba). The stratum was destroyed by fire, likely by the Assyrian invasion under Tiglath-pileser III (ca. 732). The site was re-occupied with the construction of poorly built buildings, but this settlement apparently ended during the first half of the 7th century.

See Scythopolis.

Bibliography. G. Foerster, “Beth-shean at the Foot of the Mound,” NEAEHL 1:223-35; Foerster, et al., “The Bet Sheʾan Excavation Project (1989-1991),” Excavations and Surveys in Israel 11 (1993): 1-60; F. W. James, The Iron Age at Beth Shan (Philadelphia, 1966); A. Mazar, “Beth-shean,” NEAEHL 1:214-23; A. Rowe, The Four Canaanite Temples of Beth Shan 1 (Philadelphia, 1940); Y. Yadin and S. Geva, Investigations at Beth Shean: The Early Iron Age Strata. Qedem 3 (Jerusalem, 1986).

Dale W. Manor