What is…
Beth-Shean

also known as: Bethshean, Beit She'an (modern name), Bet She'an, Israel (official modern name), Bethshan, Scythopolis

Meaning: house of security or rest

This is a city west of the Jordan. It is believed to be one of the oldest cities of Northern Israel. Archaeologists have unearthed 18 successive ancient towns on this site.

The city is on the road from Jerusalem to Damascus, about 5 miles from the Jordan River, and 14 from the south end of the Lake of Gennesaret.

It belonged to Israel’s tribe of Manasseh (1 Chronicles 7:29). Its location was important, being at the junction of the Jordan River Valley and the Jezreel Valley.

The city is located in modern Israel and is about 394 feet below sea level (120 meters).

Philistines

The bodies of Saul and his sons were fastened to its walls by the Philistines, who then controlled the area.

Solomon

In Solomon’s time, Beth-Shean gave its name to a district (1 Kings 4:12).

Egypt

Pharaoh Thutmose III (15th century BC) conquered the ancient city, a fact that is recorded in a inscription. Beth-Shean became a major Egyptian administrative center during the Late Bronze Age.

Post-Captivity

After the Captivity, it was called Scythopolis, i.e., “the city of the Scythians,” who about 640 BC came down from the steppes of Southern Russia and settled in different places in Syria.

Modern

The city has survived to this day, and is now called Beit She'an (Bet She'an, Israel).