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What is Bethel in the Bible?

Place where God met Jacob, later a center of Jeroboam's calf worship condemned by the prophets.

Bethel is a town in the land of Canaan whose earlier name was Luz. It lies near Ai (Genesis 28:19; Genesis 35:6; Joshua 12:9).

Bethel in the Bible

Abram pitched his tent and built an altar to the LORD on a mountain between Bethel and Hai (Genesis 12:8). Jacob gave the place the name Bethel because God spoke with him there. God calls himself the God of Bethel, where Jacob anointed a pillar and made a vow, and later tells him to go up to Bethel and build an altar (Genesis 31:13; Genesis 35:1; Genesis 35:15).

Joshua's list of conquered kings includes the king of Bethel, and the house of Joseph goes up against the city (Joshua 12:16; Judges 1:22). Samuel judges Israel at Bethel on his yearly circuit (1 Samuel 7:16). Jeroboam sets up one of his golden calves there, with an altar and priests of the high places (1 Kings 12:29; 1 Kings 12:32).

A man of God from Judah cries against that altar (1 Kings 13:1), and Josiah later breaks it down (2 Kings 23:15; 2 Kings 23:19). The prophets condemn the worship at Bethel (Amos 5:5; Amos 7:13). Men of Bethel are counted among those who return from exile (Ezra 2:28).

Name meaning
House of God
Name origin
Hebrew
Role
Town in Canaan
First mention
Genesis 12:8
Appearances in the Bible
59 mentions

Questions about Bethel

What is Bethel in the Bible?

Bethel is a town in the land of Canaan whose earlier name was Luz. It lies near Ai (Genesis 28:19; Genesis 35:6; Joshua 12:9). Abram pitched his tent and built an altar to the LORD on a mountain between Bethel and Hai (Genesis 12:8). Jacob gave the place the name Bethel because God spoke with him there. God calls himself the God of Bethel, where Jacob anointed a pillar and made a vow, and later tells him to go up to Bethel and build an altar (Genesis 31:13; Genesis 35:1; Genesis 35:15). Joshua's list of conquered kings includes the king of Bethel, and the house of Joseph goes up against the city (Joshua 12:16; Judges 1:22). Samuel judges Israel at Bethel on his yearly circuit (1 Samuel 7:16). Jeroboam sets up one of his golden calves there, with an altar and priests of the high places (1 Kings 12:29; 1 Kings 12:32). A man of God from Judah cries against that altar (1 Kings 13:1), and Josiah later breaks it down (2 Kings 23:15; 2 Kings 23:19). The prophets condemn the worship at Bethel (Amos 5:5; Amos 7:13). Men of Bethel are counted among those who return from exile (Ezra 2:28).

What does the name Bethel mean?

The name Bethel means “House of God”. Origin: Hebrew.

Where is Bethel first mentioned in the Bible?

Bethel is first mentioned in Genesis 12:8.

How many times is Bethel mentioned in the Bible?

Number of mentions in the Bible: 59.