beth-hā´ram (הרם בּית, bēth hārām; Βαιθαράν, Baitharán; Codex Alexandrinus, Βαιθαρρά, Baitharrá; the King James Version wrongly, Beth-Aram): An Amorite city taken and fortified by the Gadites ([Joshua 13:27]; [Numbers 32:36]; in the latter passage the name appears as Beth-haran, probably the original form). It corresponds to Bēthramphtha of Josephus ( Ant., XVIII, ii, 1), which, according to Eusebius, was the name used by the Syrians. Here was a palace of Herod ( Ant., XVII, x, 6; BJ, II, iv, 2). Eusebius, Onomasticon says it was called Livias. Josephus says it was fortified by Herod Antipas, who called it Julias for the wife of Augustus ( Ant., XVIII, ii, 1; BJ, II, ix, 1). The name would be changed to Julias when Livia, by the will of the emperor, was received into the Gens Julia. It is represented by Tell er- Rāmeh in Wādy Ḥesbān, about 6 miles East of Jordan. Smith's Bible Dictionary or
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia |
