Betomasthem (Greek: Βαıτομασθαίμ, Baitomasthaim)[1] or Betomestham (Βετομεσθαίμ, Betomesthaim)[2] is an unidentified town from the Book of Judith.[3]
Location
editBetomasthem is described in the Book of Judith as a town "over against Esdraelon, facing the plain that is near Dothaim",[2] and in the vicinity of "Bebai, Chobai, and Cola, in the coasts of Israel".[1] From the manner of its mention, it would seem to have been of equal importance with Bethulia itself, but it is doubtful whether it indicates any historical locality whatever.[4] It can hardly be Deir Massīn, which lies west of "the plain that is near Dothan". The district is clearly indicated, but no identification has been possible.[5] Adam Zertal and Nivi Mirkam have suggested the site of el-Baṭn, located between the Jezreel and Dothan Valleys, as a possible candidate for Betomasthem.[6] Theologian Antoine Augustin Calmet wrote in his commentary on the book of Judith, the "Commentaire littéral sur tous les livres de l'ancien et du nouveau testament: "Béthomesthaim is Betsamés, or, according to the Syriac pronunciation, Bétomesta". This identification identifies Betomasthem as Beth Shemesh.[7] However, this is much too south to be anywhere near the Jezreel valley.
References
editSources
editAttribution:
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: McClintock, John; Strong, James (1880). "Betomas'them, Betomes'tham". Cyclopædia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature. Vol. I.—A, B. New York: Harper & Brothers. pp. 791–92.- This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: Orr, James, ed. (1915). "Betomesthaim, Betomasthaim". The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia. Vol. I.—A–Clemency. Chicago: The Howard-Severance Company. p. 454.
- Zertal, Adam; Mirkam, Nivi (2016). The Manasseh Hill Country Survey: Volume 3: From Nahal ‘Iron to Nahal Shechem. BRILL. pp. 74–75. ISBN 978-90-04-31230-2.