probably a contraction of בֵּית בַּעַל מְעוֹן; Beon, a place East of the Jordan; Beon.
Transliteration:Bᵉʻôn
Pronunciation:beh-ohn'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H1194 (בְּעֹן, Bᵉʻôn) is a proper noun, designating a specific geographical location. Its base definition indicates that it is "probably a contraction of בֵּית בַּעַל מְעוֹן (Beth-Baal-Meon)." Understanding the full, presumed original name is crucial for grasping its semantic depth.
* **בֵּית (Beth)**: Meaning "house" or "place of."
* **בַּעַל (Baal)**: Meaning "lord" or "master," often referring to the prominent Canaanite storm and fertility deity.
* **מְעוֹן (Meon)**: Meaning "dwelling" or "habitation."
Therefore, the full name "Beth-Baal-Meon" can be rendered as "House of Baal's Dwelling" or "House of the Lord of Dwelling." The contracted form "Beon" retains the essence of this original meaning, albeit in a truncated form. Its semantic range is exclusively tied to this specific place, east of the Jordan River, and implicitly carries the historical and religious connotations of its longer name. It signifies a location that, prior to Israelite conquest, was likely a center or significant site for Baal worship.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H1194 (Beon) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible:
* **[[Numbers 32:3]]**: "Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Shebam, and Nebo, and Beon," are listed among the cities that the tribes of Reuben and Gad requested for their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan. These cities were part of the territory conquered from Sihon, king of the Amorites.
In this context, Beon is presented as a desirable location due to its suitability for livestock, forming part of the rich pasturelands east of the Jordan. The request by Reuben and Gad for this territory highlights their pragmatic assessment of the land's immediate utility.
While H1194 itself is rare, its longer forms or similar contractions appear elsewhere, providing further context:
* **[[Numbers 32:38]]**: "Baal-meon" (`{{H1179}}`) is mentioned as a city rebuilt by the Reubenites.
* **[[Joshua 13:17]]**: "Beth-baal-meon" (combining `{{H1010}}` and `{{H1179}}`) is explicitly listed as part of the inheritance of the tribe of Reuben.
* **[[1 Chronicles 5:8]]**: "Baal-meon" (`{{H1179}}`) is again noted in the genealogy of Reuben, emphasizing its continued association with the tribe.
* **[[Jeremiah 48:23]]**: "Beth-meon" (`{{H1010}}` and `{{H4583}}`) and "Baal-meon" (`{{H1179}}`) are mentioned in a prophecy of judgment against Moab, indicating that at some point, this territory, originally allotted to Reuben, had come under Moabite control.
* **[[Ezekiel 25:9]]**: "Beth-meon" (`{{H1010}}` and `{{H4583}}`) is also cited in a prophecy against Moab, affirming its connection to Moabite territory during the prophetic era.
The various forms of the name (Beon, Baal-meon, Beth-baal-meon, Beth-meon) all refer to the same general location. Their appearance across different books illustrates the shifting geopolitical landscape of Transjordan, initially Amorite, then Israelite (Reubenite), and later falling under Moabite dominion, reflecting the ongoing struggles for territorial control in the ancient Near East.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of H1194 (Beon) is enriched by examining its linguistic and conceptual relatives:
* **בֵּית בַּעַל מְעוֹן (Beth-Baal-Meon)**: The full, original name from which Beon is derived. This is the most direct and crucial related term, explicitly referenced in the Strong's definition.
* **בַּעַל מְעוֹן (Baal-Meon) `{{H1179}}`**: A common shortened form, frequently used in biblical texts, which still retains the explicit reference to "Baal."
* **בֵּית מְעוֹן (Beth-Meon) `{{H1010}}` + `{{H4583}}`**: Another variant that drops the specific reference to "Baal," perhaps reflecting a deliberate Israelite attempt to de-emphasize the pagan deity, or simply a further linguistic contraction.
* **בַּעַל (Baal) `{{H1167}}`**: The Canaanite deity. The inclusion of "Baal" in the original place name directly links Beon to the pervasive idolatry of the pre-Israelite inhabitants of Canaan. This connection highlights the spiritual conflict inherent in the conquest and settlement of the land.
* **מְעוֹן (Meon) `{{H4583}}`**: Meaning "dwelling" or "habitation." This root emphasizes the function of the location as a settled place.
* **בֵּית (Beth) `{{H1004}}`**: Meaning "house" or "place."
* **Place Names**: The study of Beon falls within the broader category of biblical toponymy. Place names often preserve historical, religious, or geographical information, acting as linguistic artifacts that reveal layers of cultural and spiritual history.
* **Territorial Inheritance**: Beon's inclusion in the land allotted to Reuben highlights the divine promise and allocation of specific territories to the Israelite tribes, even those with pagan pasts.
* **Idolatry and Paganism**: The name serves as a tangible reminder of the spiritual landscape that Israel encountered upon entering Canaan, a land permeated by the worship of false gods.
* **Prophetic Judgment**: The later mentions of Baal-meon/Beth-meon in prophetic books connect the place to the broader theme of divine judgment against nations, particularly Moab, for their rebellion against God and oppression of His people.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of Beon, though a seemingly minor place name, is multifaceted and profound:
1. **A Lingering Echo of Paganism**: The very name "Beon," derived from "Beth-Baal-Meon," serves as a linguistic monument to the pervasive presence of Baal worship in the land of Canaan prior to the Israelite conquest. Even after the land was claimed by God's people, the names of places often retained these pagan associations. This subtly reminds the reader of the spiritual battle Israel faced—not just against physical adversaries, but against the deeply entrenched idolatrous practices that permeated the very soil they inhabited. It underscores the constant need for vigilance against syncretism.
2. **God's Sovereignty in Land Allocation**: Despite its pagan origins, Beon became part of the inheritance of the tribe of Reuben. This demonstrates God's sovereign power to reclaim and repurpose land previously dedicated to false gods for His covenant people. It illustrates that no territory, however defiled by idolatry, is beyond God's redemptive plan for His chosen nation. The land, once a center of pagan devotion, was transformed into a part of the holy inheritance of Israel, signifying God's dominion over all creation.
3. **The Enduring Spiritual Struggle**: The fact that place names like Beon, with their Baal-related elements, persisted in Israelite usage, even if shortened, speaks to the ongoing spiritual tension. It was a constant reminder of the spiritual environment Israel was called to sanctify and separate themselves from. The Israelites were to dismantle the altars of Baal, yet the memory of his worship persisted in the very names of their cities, serving as a subtle warning against backsliding.
4. **Prophetic Foreshadowing of Judgment**: The later appearance of Baal-meon/Beth-meon in the prophetic books of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, in the context of divine judgment against Moab, adds another layer of theological significance. It illustrates that even places with a history tied to Israel's inheritance could fall under divine judgment when they became strongholds of opposition to God's people and His righteousness. This shows the universal scope of God's justice and His dealings with nations, whether they were originally pagan, Israelite-occupied, or later re-conquered by other nations.
### Summary
H1194 (Bᵉʻôn), or Beon, is a concise Hebrew place name located east of the Jordan River, historically associated with the tribe of Reuben. Its most significant feature is its derivation from the longer name "Beth-Baal-Meon," meaning "House of Baal's Dwelling," which reveals its pre-Israelite pagan origins. While mentioned only once as "Beon" in [[Numbers 32:3]], its fuller forms like "Baal-meon" (`{{H1179}}`) and "Beth-baal-meon" appear in other texts, tracing its allocation to Reuben and later its re-occupation by Moab, as evidenced in prophetic judgments (e.g., [[Jeremiah 48:23]]).
Theologically, Beon serves as a poignant reminder of the pervasive nature of Baal worship in ancient Canaan and the spiritual struggle faced by Israel. It underscores God's sovereignty in allocating land, even that with a pagan past, to His covenant people. Furthermore, its later inclusion in prophecies against Moab highlights the broader theme of divine judgment upon nations that oppose God and His purposes. Thus, Beon, though a small geographical reference, is a rich linguistic and theological artifact, connecting the physical landscape to the spiritual history and divine plan for Israel and the surrounding nations.
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