A sacerdotal city in the tribe of Dan (Joshua 21:16; 1 Samuel 6:15 ), on the north border of Judah (Joshua 15:10 ). It was the scene of an encounter between Jehoash, king of Israel, and Amaziah, king of Judah, in which the latter was made prisoner (2 Kings 14:11,13 ). It was afterwards taken by the Philistines (2 Chronicles 28:18 ). It is the modern ruined Arabic village 'Ain-shems, on the north-west slopes of the mountains of Judah, 14 miles west of Jerusalem.

A city between Dothan and the Jordan, near the southern border of Issachar (Joshua 19:22 ), 7 1/2 miles south of Beth-shean. It is the modern Ain-esh-Shemsiyeh.

One of the fenced cities of Naphtali ( Joshua 19:38 ), between Mount Tabor and the Jordan. Now Khurbet Shema, 3 miles west of Safed. But perhaps the same as No. 2.

An idol sanctuary in Egypt (Jeremiah 43:13 ); called by the Greeks Heliopolis, and by the Egyptians On (q.v.), Genesis 41:45 .

Copyright Statement
These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain.

Bibliography Information
Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Beth-Shemesh'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/b/beth-shemesh.html. 1897.

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