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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Bethzur</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/b/bethzur.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/joshua/15-58.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/b/bethzur.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Bethzur</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/b/beth-za'tha.htm" title="Beth-za'tha">◄</a> Bethzur <a href="/topical/b/beth-zur.htm" title="Beth-Zur">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#smi" title="Smith's Bible Dictionary">Smith's</a> • <a href="#isb" title="International Standard Bible Encyclopedia">ISBE</a> • <a href="#eas" title="Easton's Bible Dictionary">Easton's</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#heb" title="Strong's Hebrew Concordance">Hebrew</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div><b>Etymology and Meaning</b>: The name "Bethzur" is derived from Hebrew, meaning "House of the Rock" or "House of the Fortress." This name reflects its strategic and fortified nature, which played a significant role in its historical and biblical context.<br><br><b>Biblical References</b>: Bethzur is mentioned in several passages of the Old Testament, primarily in the context of territorial allotments and military significance. It is first noted in the Book of Joshua as part of the inheritance of the tribe of Judah. <a href="/joshua/15-58.htm">Joshua 15:58</a> lists Bethzur among the towns in the hill country of Judah: "Halhul, Beth-zur, and Gedor."<br><br><b>Historical Significance</b>: Bethzur was a fortified city, strategically located in the hill country of Judah, approximately 4 miles north of Hebron. Its position made it a critical defensive site, particularly during times of conflict. The city is mentioned in the context of Rehoboam's fortifications in <a href="/2_chronicles/11-5.htm">2 Chronicles 11:5-10</a>, where it is listed among the cities he fortified to protect Judah: "Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem and built up cities for defense in Judah. He built up Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa, Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam, Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah, Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron."<br><br><b>Archaeological Insights</b>: Excavations at the site identified as Bethzur have revealed significant fortifications, including walls and towers, which corroborate its biblical description as a fortified city. These findings align with the historical accounts of its military importance.<br><br><b>Role in the Maccabean Revolt</b>: Bethzur played a notable role during the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. It was a site of conflict and was fortified by the Maccabees as a stronghold. The First Book of Maccabees, though not part of the Protestant canon, provides additional historical context, describing how Bethzur was captured and fortified by Judas Maccabeus.<br><br><b>Post-Biblical History</b>: After the biblical period, Bethzur continued to hold strategic importance. During the Roman period, it was known as Bethsura and remained a significant site due to its location on the main road from Jerusalem to Hebron.<br><br><b>Theological Implications</b>: Bethzur's repeated mention in the context of fortifications and defense highlights the biblical theme of divine protection and the importance of strategic preparation. It serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and readiness in the face of spiritual and physical challenges.<br><br><b>Modern Identification</b>: Today, the site of Bethzur is identified with the archaeological site of Khirbet et-Tubeiqa, where remnants of its ancient fortifications can still be observed. The site continues to be of interest to archaeologists and biblical scholars seeking to understand the historical and cultural context of the biblical narrative.<a name="smi" id="smi"></a><div class="vheading2">Smith's Bible Dictionary</div><span class="encheading">Bethzur</span><p>(<i>house of rock</i>) a town in the mountains of Judah, built by Jeroboam, (<a href="/joshua/15-58.htm">Joshua 15:58</a>; <a href="/2_chronicles/11-7.htm">2 Chronicles 11:7</a>) now <i>Beit-zur</i> . It commands the road from Beersheba and Hebron, which has always been the main approach to Jerusalem from the south.<a name="eas" id="eas"></a><div class="vheading2">Easton's Bible Dictionary</div>House of rock, a town in the mountains of Judah (<a href="/joshua/15-58.htm">Joshua 15:58</a>), about 4 miles to the north of Hebron. It was built by Rehoboam for the defence of his kingdom (<a href="/2_chronicles/11-7.htm">2 Chronicles 11:7</a>). It stood near the modern ed-Dirweh. Its ruins are still seen on a hill which bears the name of Beit-Sur, and which commands the road from Beer-sheba and Hebron to Jerusalem from the south. <a name="isb" id="isb"></a><div class="vheading2">International Standard Bible Encyclopedia</div><span class="encheading">BETH-ZUR</span><p>beth'-zur (beth-tsur; Baith-sour, "house of rock"; less probably "house of the god Zur"):<br><br>(1) Mentioned (<a href="/joshua/15-58.htm">Joshua 15:58</a>) as near Halhul and Gedor in the hill country of Judah; fortified by Rehoboam (<a href="/2_chronicles/11-7.htm">2 Chronicles 11:7</a>). In <a href="/nehemiah/3-16.htm">Nehemiah 3:16</a> mention is made of "Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of half the district of Beth-zur." During the Maccabean wars it (Bethsura) came into great importance (1 Maccabees 4:29, 61; 6:7, 26, 31, 49, 50; 9:52; 10:14; 0.503472222; 14:7, 33). Josephus describes it as the strongest place in all Judea (Ant., XIII, v, 6). It was inhabited in the days of Eusebius and Jerome.<br><br>(2) It is the ruined site Belt Cur, near the main road from Jerusalem to Hebron, and some 4 miles North of the latter. Its importance lay in its natural strength, on a hilltop dominating the highroad, and also in its guarding the one southerly approach for a hostile army by the Vale of Elah to the Judean plateau. The site today is conspicuous from a distance through the presence of a ruined medieval tower. (See <a href="../p/pef.htm">PEF, III, 311, Sh XXI)</a>.<br><br>E. W. G. Masterman<p><a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/1049.htm"><span class="l">1049. Beth-tsur -- "house of a rock," a place in Judah</span></a><br><b>...</b> Word Origin from bayith and tsur Definition "house of a rock," a place in<br> Judah NASB Word Usage Beth-zur (3), <b>Bethzur</b> (1). Beth-zur. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/1049.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/josephus/the_antiquities_of_the_jews/chapter_10_concerning_rehoboam_and.htm"><span class="l">Concerning Rehoboam, and How God Inflicted Punishment Upon Him for <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> the son of Solomon, who, as we said before, was king of the two tribes, built strong<br> and large cities, Bethlehem, and Etare, and Tekoa, and <b>Bethzur</b>, and Shoco <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 concerning rehoboam and.htm</font><p><a href="/library/kent/the_making_of_a_nation/study_xii_a_nations_struggle.htm"><span class="l">A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> yet been identified. The name is perhaps but a scribal corruption of Bethlehem<br> or of <b>Bethzur</b> further to the south. The other towns <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xii a nations struggle.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maspero/history_of_egypt_chaldaea_syria_babylonia_and_assyria_v_4/chapter_ithe_first_chaldaean_empire.htm"><span class="l">The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt</span></a> <br><b>...</b> The grottoes of Palestine proper, at <b>Bethzur</b>, at Gilgal near Jericho, and at Tibneh,<br> have been the subject of keen controversy ever since their discovery. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm</font><p><a href="/library/jerome/the_principal_works_of_st_jerome/letter_cviii_to_eustochium.htm"><span class="l">Letter cviii. To Eustochium.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> [2814] Next turning to the right she passed from <b>Bethzur</b> [2815] to Eshcol which<br> means "a cluster of grapes." It was hence that the spies brought back that <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/b/bethzur.htm"><span class="l"><b>Bethzur</b> (4 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b><b>Bethzur</b> (4 Occurrences). Joshua 15:58 Halhul, <b>Bethzur</b>, and Gedor, (KJV). 1 Chronicles<br> 2:45 And the son of Shammai was Maon: and Maon was the father of <b>Bethzur</b>. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/bethzur.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/beth-zur.htm"><span class="l">Beth-zur (4 Occurrences)</span></a><br>Beth-zur. <b>Bethzur</b>, Beth-zur. Betimes . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia <b>...</b> (ASV<br> BBE DBY JPS WBS YLT NAS RSV). <b>Bethzur</b>, Beth-zur. Betimes . Reference Bible <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/beth-zur.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/bethanoth.htm"><span class="l">Bethanoth (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> probably "House of Anath"-a god; Joshua 15:59): The ruin of Beit `Ainun, 1 1/2 miles<br> Southeast of Halhul, in the neighborhood also of <b>Bethzur</b> and Gedor-places <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/bethanoth.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/beth-za'tha.htm"><span class="l">Beth-za'tha (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br>Beth-za'tha. Beth-zatha, Beth-za'tha. <b>Bethzur</b> . Multi-Version Concordance<br> Beth-za'tha (1 Occurrence). <b>...</b> Beth-zatha, Beth-za'tha. <b>Bethzur</b> . Reference Bible <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/beth-za'tha.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/beth-anoth.htm"><span class="l">Beth-anoth (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> probably "House of Anath"-a god; Joshua 15:59): The ruin of Beit `Ainun, 1 1/2 miles<br> Southeast of Halhul, in the neighborhood also of <b>Bethzur</b> and Gedor-places <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/beth-anoth.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/shoco.htm"><span class="l">Shoco (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Multi-Version Concordance Shoco (1 Occurrence). 2 Chronicles<br> 11:7 And <b>Bethzur</b>, and Shoco, and Adullam, (KJV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/shoco.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/sepulchres.htm"><span class="l">Sepulchres (17 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Nehemiah 3:16 After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the half<br> part of <b>Bethzur</b>, unto the place over against the sepulchres of David, and to <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/sepulchres.htm - 12k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Bethzur (4 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/joshua/15-58.htm">Joshua 15:58</a></span><br />Halhul, <span class="boldtext">Bethzur</span>, and Gedor,<br /><span class="source">(KJV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/1_chronicles/2-45.htm">1 Chronicles 2:45</a></span><br />And the son of Shammai was Maon: and Maon was the father of <span class="boldtext">Bethzur</span>. <br /><span class="source">(KJV NAS RSV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/2_chronicles/11-7.htm">2 Chronicles 11:7</a></span><br />And <span class="boldtext">Bethzur</span>, and Shoco, and Adullam,<br /><span class="source">(KJV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/nehemiah/3-16.htm">Nehemiah 3:16</a></span><br />After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the half part of <span class="boldtext">Bethzur</span>, unto the place over against the sepulchres of David, and to the pool that was made, and unto the house of the mighty.<br /><span class="source">(KJV)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/b/bethuzur.htm">Bethuzur</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/b/bethzur.htm">Bethzur</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/beth-zur.htm">Beth-zur (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/z/zur.htm">Zur (9 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/gedor.htm">Gedor (7 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/maon.htm">Maon (7 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/territory.htm">Territory (140 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/betimes.htm">Betimes (17 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/beth.htm">Beth (115 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/halhul.htm">Halhul (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/z/zuriel.htm">Zuriel (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/n/nehemi'ah.htm">Nehemi'ah (8 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/ivory.htm">Ivory (13 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/resting-places.htm">Resting-places (27 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/repairs.htm">Repairs (24 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/maonites.htm">Maonites (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/ma'on.htm">Ma'on (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bethanoth.htm">Bethanoth (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bethsuron.htm">Bethsuron</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/beth-za'tha.htm">Beth-za'tha (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/beth-anoth.htm">Beth-anoth (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bethsura.htm">Bethsura</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/artificial.htm">Artificial (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/azbuk.htm">Azbuk (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/soco.htm">Soco (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/shammai.htm">Shammai (5 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sepulchers.htm">Sepulchers (15 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/shoco.htm">Shoco (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/shocho.htm">Shocho (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sham'mai.htm">Sham'mai (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sepulchres.htm">Sepulchres (17 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/heroes.htm">Heroes (8 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/graves.htm">Graves (37 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/repaired.htm">Repaired (46 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/tombs.htm">Tombs (27 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/official.htm">Official (45 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/adullam.htm">Adullam (10 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/district.htm">District (59 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/half-district.htm">Half-district (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah (802 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/n/nehemiah.htm">Nehemiah (9 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/strengthened.htm">Strengthened (113 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/over-against.htm">Over-against (156 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/point.htm">Point (106 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/pool.htm">Pool (25 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/b/beth-za'tha.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Beth-za'tha"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Beth-za'tha" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/b/beth-zur.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Beth-Zur"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Beth-Zur" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div 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