Beit Shemesh
About Beit Shemesh
Lying in the heart of the Judean Foothills, ancient Beit Shemesh was a border city in Canaanite and Israelite times. It was the most important Israelite city in the Sorek Valley as it is situated along the main route leading south to Lachish, passing by most of the major cities of the Shephelah.
Beit Shemesh History
Beit Shemesh, meaning “house of the sun”, was a large Canaanite city. It was initially given to the tribe of Dan (Joshua 19:41). It was also a Levitical city (Joshua 21:16). It was one of the twelve districts of the Kingdom of Solomon. It played a significant role in the history of the Ark of the Covenant (1 Samuel 6:12-13).
Sorek Valley
On the north side of the Sorek Valley are the ancient villages of Zorah and Eshtaol. Samson was born in Zorah. He would have travelled down this valley numerous times including the time when he killed the lion (Judges 14:6) and later when he tied the tails of 300 foxes together (Judges 15:4).
Archaeological Finds
Excavations have revealed a big underground water reservoir, probably the largest Iron Age reservoir known in Israel. The reservoir could have supplied the town’s inhabitants with water to survive a three-month siege.
Interesting Facts
- The name Beit Shemesh (House of the Sun) is suggestive of the deity that was worshipped by the Canaanite inhabitants of the ancient city.
- Beit Shemesh was destroyed by the Assyrian king Sennacherib in 701 BCE and abandoned. It is said that in the 7th century BCE, some Judean families returned, refurbished the reservoir and lived for a while in its vicinity.
- To ensure abandonment of this border city, the Philistine neighbours and/or the ruling Assyrians deliberately blocked the entrance to the reservoir with tons of earth and debris.
