Betomasthem

Betomasthem (Greek: Βαıτομασθαίμ, Baitomasthaim)^[1] or Betomestham (Βετομεσθαίμ, Betomesthaim)^[2] is an unidentified town from the Book of Judith.^[3]

Location

Betomasthem is described in the Book of Judith as a town "over against Esdraelon, facing the plain that is near Dothaim",^[2] and in the vicinity of "Bebai, Chobai, and Cola, in the coasts of Israel".^[1] From the manner of its mention, it would seem to have been of equal importance with Bethulia itself, but it is doubtful whether it indicates any historical locality whatever.^[4] It can hardly be Deir Massīn, which lies west of "the plain that is near Dothan". The district is clearly indicated, but no identification has been possible.^[5] Adam Zertal and Nivi Mirkam have suggested the site of el-Baṭn, located between the Jezreel and Dothan Valleys, as a possible candidate for Betomasthem.^[6] Theologian Antoine Augustin Calmet wrote in his commentary on the book of Judith, the "Commentaire littéral sur tous les livres de l'ancien et du nouveau testament: "Béthomesthaim is Betsamés, or, according to the Syriac pronunciation, Bétomesta". This identification identifies Betomasthem as Beth Shemesh.^[7] However, this is much too south to be anywhere near the Jezreel valley.

References

1. Judith, 15:4.
2. Judith, 4:6.
3. McClintock; Strong 1880, p. 791.
4. McClintock; Strong 1880, pp. 791–92.
5. Orr, ed. 1915, p. 454.
6. Zertal; Mirkam 2016, pp. 74–75.
7. https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=KSpRAAAAcAAJ&pg=GBS.PA394&hl=en

Sources

• Book of Judith.

Attribution:

• This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: McClintock, John; Strong, James (1880). "Betomas'them, Betomes'tham". Cyclopædia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature. Vol. I.—A, B. New York: Harper & Brothers. pp. 791–92.
• This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: Orr, James, ed. (1915). "Betomesthaim, Betomasthaim". The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia. Vol. I.—A–Clemency. Chicago: The Howard-Severance Company. p. 454.
• Zertal, Adam; Mirkam, Nivi (2016). The Manasseh Hill Country Survey: Volume 3: From Nahal ‘Iron to Nahal Shechem. BRILL. pp. 74–75. ISBN 978-90-04-31230-2.