The Hebrew word Bᵉʻeshtᵉrâh H1203 refers to a place East of the Jordan. Its name is derived from עַשְׁתְּרָה with a prepositional prefix, meaning "with Ashtoreth." This word appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible, making its context highly specific.
The sole mention of H1203 occurs in the record of the distribution of Levitical cities. Beeshterah and its suburbs H4054 were given to the children H1121 of Gershon H1648, who were part of the families H4940 of the Levites H3881. This territory was allotted from the other half H2677 of the tribe H4294 of Manasseh H4519. In this passage, it is listed as one of two H8147 cities given to the Gershonites in that region, the other being Golan H1474 in Bashan H1316, a designated city H5892 of refuge H4733 for the slayer H7523 Joshua 21:27.
Several related words clarify the context of Beeshterah's allotment:
- H1648 Gêrᵉshôwn (a refugee): The name for the Israelite family who received Beeshterah as part of their portion. This family descended from Levi Genesis 46:11.
- H1474 Gôwlân (captive): The name of the other city given alongside Beeshterah in the same allotment, located in Bashan and designated as a city of refuge Joshua 21:27.
- H3881 Lêvîyîy (a Levite): This identifies the tribe to which the descendants of Gershon belonged. The Levites were set apart and did not have a tribal inheritance, instead receiving cities among the other tribes Deuteronomy 14:29.
- H4054 migrâsh (suburb): This term describes the open country or pasture land around a city. Both Beeshterah and Golan were given with their suburbs H4054, ensuring provision for the Levites' flocks Joshua 21:27.
The significance of H1203 is tied to the fulfillment of God's commands for Israel's settlement.
- Provision for the Levites: Beeshterah's designation as a Levitical city is a direct outworking of the command for the children of Israel to give cities to the Levites from their own inheritance to dwell in Numbers 35:2.
- Integration and Allotment: The city was given from the territory of the half-tribe of Manasseh H4519, illustrating how the Levites were integrated into the lands of the other tribes.
- Association with Justice: Its pairing with Golan H1474, a city of refuge H4733, places Beeshterah within the larger framework of the legal and redemptive system established for the nation, where asylum was provided for the unintentional slayer H7523 Joshua 21:27.
In summary, Bᵉʻeshtᵉrâh H1203 is a place name whose entire scriptural identity is found in a single verse. It is not a major theological term but a geographical marker representing a key event: the allocation of land to the priestly tribe. Its importance lies in its role as one of the cities given to the Levites H3881 from the tribe of Manasseh H4519, demonstrating the fulfillment of God's covenant provision for His people as they settled in the Promised Land.
TRV