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H1020 · Hebrew · Old Testament
בֵּית הַיְשִׁימוֹת
Beth-Jeshimoth
Proper noun, place
House of the Desolate Places

Definition

A location on the plains of Moab near the Jordan River, east of Jericho. Israel camped at Beth-Jeshimoth before crossing into Canaan (Numbers 33:49). The site is also mentioned in Ezekiel's oracle against Moab (Ezekiel 25:9). The name combines bayit (house) with yeshimoth, the plural of yeshimah, meaning desolation or desert waste.

Usage & Theological Significance

Israel encamped at Beth-Jeshimoth — the house of desolations — just before entering the promised land. This placement is theologically rich: the liminal space before covenant fulfillment is often a place of desolation and testing. The wilderness journey from Egypt to Canaan is a type of the Christian's journey through the present age toward the kingdom of God. The people of God are often camped in the desert of waiting, just one step from promise. Trust and obedience are the keys to crossing over.

Key Bible Verses

Numbers 33:49 Their camp extended from Beth Jeshimoth to Abel Shittim on the plains of Moab.
Joshua 12:3 the eastern shore of the Sea of Arabah (the Dead Sea), south to Beth Jeshimoth, and then southward below the slopes of Pisgah;
Ezekiel 25:9 Therefore I will expose the flank of Moab, beginning at its frontier towns — Beth Jeshimoth, Baal Meon and Kiriathaim — the glory of that land.
Deuteronomy 8:2 Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart.
Hebrews 3:19 So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.

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