A place and desert near Bethel on the east, Joshua 7:2; 18:12; 1 Samuel 13:5; 14:23 . It seems to be reproachfully used at times for Bethel itself, after the golden calves were there set up, Hosea 4:15; 10:5 : Beth-el meaning the house of God; and Beth-aven, the house of sin, or of an idol.
Although written in 1859 by William Rand, this dictionary of the Bible from the American Tract Society is still relevant today.Wikipedia
Read More