Beeroth
Beeroth [1]
bē̇ -ē´roth , bē´ẽr -oth ( בּארות , be'ērōth ; Βηρώθ , Bērō̇th ): One of the cities of the Canaanites whose inhabitants succeeded in deceiving Israel, and in making a covenant with them ( Joshua 9:3 ). Apparently they were Hivites ( Joshua 9:7 ). The occasion on which the Beerothites fled to Gittaim where they preserved their communal identity is not indicated. The town was reckoned to Benjamin ( 2 Samuel 4:2 f). Eusebius, Onomasticon places it under Gibeon, 7 Roman miles from Jerusalem on the way to Nicopolis ( Amwās ). If we follow the old road by way of Gibeon ( el - Jı̄b ) and Bethhoron, Beeroth would lie probably to the Northwest of el - Jı̄b . The traditional identification is with el - Bı̄reh , about 8 miles from Jerusalem on the great north road. If the order in which the towns are mentioned ( Joshua 9:17; Joshua 18:25 ) is any guide as to position, el-Bireh is too far to the Northwest. The identification is precarious. To Beeroth belonged the murderers of Ish-bosheth ( 2 Samuel 4:2 ), and Naharai, Joab's armor-bearer ( 2 Samuel 23:37; 1 Chronicles 11:39 ). It was reoccupied after the Exile ( Ezra 2:25; Nehemiah 7:29 ).
