bē̇ -ē´roth , bē´ẽr -oth ( בּארות , be'ērōth ; Βηρώθ , Bērō̇th ): 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 ( Amwās ). If we follow the old road by way of Gibeon (el -Jı̄b ) and Bethhoron, Beeroth would lie probably to the Northwest of el -Jı̄b . The traditional identification is with el -Bı̄reh , 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 ).
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