be-e'-roth, be'-er-oth (be'eroth; Beroth): 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 (Amwas). If we follow the old road by way of Gibeon (el-Jib) and Bethhoron, Beeroth would lie probably to the Northwest of el-Jib. The traditional identification is with el-Bireh, 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).

W. Ewing

BEEROTH BENE-JAAKAN

ben'-e-ja'-a-kan (be'eroth bene ya`aqan; the Revised Version, margin "the wells of the children of Jaakan"): A desert camp of the Israelites mentioned before Moserah (Deuteronomy 10:6). In Numbers 33:31, 32 the name is given simply "Bene-jaakan," and the situation after Moseroth.

See WANDERINGS OF ISRAEL.