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BETH-HACCHEREM

(Heb. bêṯ-hakkerem)

A town 4 km. (2.58 mi.) S of Jerusalem, most recently identified with Ramat Raḥel (1708.1275). It was noted as the site of a “fire signal station,” where signal messages to and from Jerusalem and surrounding towns and military sites would be relayed (Jer. 6:1). During the Persian period it was the site of the administrative headquarters for the district of Judah S of Jerusalem (Neh. 3:14).

Several other locations have been offered as possible sites, most notably the village of ʿAin Kârim (6.5 km. [4 mi.] W of Jerusalem). There are ruins on Jebel ʿAli, overlooking this village, which could have been a signal station, but this location conflicts with the geographic reference of Jeremiah. Qumran documents (3Q15 [3QInv]; 1QapGen) indicate a site of the same name in the King’s Valley (2 Sam. 18:18), but this location cannot be reconciled with the references of Jeremiah or Nehemiah. The most convincing evidence points to Ramat Raḥel, which most closely fits the OT and other sources.

Bibliography. Y. Aharoni, “The Citadel of Ramat Rahel,” Archaeology 18 (1965): 15-25; M. Avi-Yonah, The Holy Land, rev. ed. (Grand Rapids, 1977); N. Glueck, Explorations in Eastern Palestine IV. AASOR 25-28 (New Haven, 1951).

Dennis M. Swanson

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

BETH-HACCHEREM

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)