The Hebrew Beth-ha-Eli (Strong's H1017) is a gentilic adjective meaning 'the Bethelite' — an inhabitant or native of Bethel. It appears in the Elisha narratives when the prophet is mocked by youths 'from Bethel' and calls down a curse on them. The word specifically identifies the origin of these young men as Bethel — the city of golden calves — which adds theological weight to the account.
The incident of the youths from Bethel mocking Elisha (2 Kings 2:23-24) is often misunderstood. These were not merely rude children; they were older youths from the center of calf worship, mocking the prophet of the true God with calls of 'Go up, baldhead!' — likely a taunt about Elijah's ascension and a rejection of prophetic authority. Elisha's curse and the subsequent mauling by bears represents divine vindication of the prophetic office and a warning against contempt for God's messengers — especially from a city already given over to idolatry.