Beth-shemesh

house of the sun.

(1.) A sacerdotal city in the tribe of Dan (Josh 21:16 ; 1Sam 6:15 ), on the north border of Judah (Josh 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 (2Kings 14:11; 14:13). It was afterwards taken by the Philistines (2Chr 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.

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

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

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

EBD - Easton's Bible Dictionary