214. Baalgad. Joshua 11:17; K. 48:1; L. 247:76.
Textual variants. Baalgōd (Greek). Procopius 1024A has Balgad but otherwise quotes Eusebius. It is probably also Algad (K. 22:22).
It is located only generally on the basis of biblical information (cf. Libanon (K. 122:27) and Hermon (K. 20:6). Some suggest this could be Baalbek.
In Interpretation of Hebrew Names "Baalgad, he had equipment or man of arms or pirate or man of fortune" (90).
215. Bethphogor (Bethfogor). Joshua 13:20; K. 48:3; L. 247:78.
The location of this place depends in Eusebius on Livias (K. 44:17 and K.48:15) and Phogōr (K. 16:4 and K. 168:25) which is only 6 miles from Livias. It is quite possible that Eusebius has in mind Kh Ajan Musa , but other scholars hold to Kh sheikh jayil , for the Old Testament site.
216. Bēthasimouth (Bethsimuth). Joshua 12:3; K. 48:6; L. 247:81.
Textual variants: Bethaisimouth (Greek) and Bethsimouth (Greek and Syriac) reflect the occasional insertion of the Hebrew article between two elements when transcribed into Greek. It is Bēsimō in Josephus' Wars IV, 7, 6 and a "city" located near Iulias (Livias 44:17). In the Madaba map a palm tree is here but no name in the vicinity.
The nearby sites of Tell el 'Azeimeh and Kh sweimeh are candidates for the biblical site. Sweimeh contains some reminiscence of the name and may be Isimouth (or Isemouth) of the Onomasticon while the Tell closer to the edge of the mountains may be the biblical site.
In Interpretation of Hebrew Names "Bethaisimouth, desert home or home bringing death" (90).
217. Bērōth (Beeroth). Joshua 9:17, 18:25; K. 48:8; L. 247:83.
A number of towns in the Onomasticon are related to Gabaon (K. 66:11, cf. 172:15) but even its location at el jib is contested. Here Bērōth is near Jerusalem while Gabaon is usually located with respect to Bethel. Eusebius' biblical remark on Gabaon, however, is more political and economic than geographic.
Archaeologists and geographers have had a lively debate over Bērōth and Gabaon which was not ended with excavations of el-jib . The Madaba Map is inconclusive because it requires emendation. Only erouta is written. It could be for Berouta and northwest of Jerusalem could fit our entry. But it has also been related to Capheruta which is not in the Onomasticon .
For some reason Jerome has a different road than Eusebius. Procopius 1020C follows the Greek text with a Bēthōr on the road to Nikopolis (K. 30:27) at the seventh milestone. Neither say from where, but it is usually assumed from Ailia since it is "near." Jerome has Neapolis (K. 4:18) either as a correction of the Greek or because his Greek manuscript was in error. The correction could be based on Josephus Wars II 5, 16. This Latin text is one of the few using "stone" for "mile."
If the Neapolis road is intended the majority of scholars fix Jerome's Beroth at el bire which has carried that name at least since the Middle Ages but as far as archaeological remains are evident it cannot be the Old Testament site. More recently it has been suggested at Tell en Nasbeh which is often identified as the Old Testament Mizpeh, and closer to the 7 miles than el bire .
On the basis of Nikopolis in the Greek text many possibilities are suggested. Some scholars give up the puzzle. It must be in the vicinity of el jib . Pritchard has no objections to Roman-Byzantine Beroth at el jib , but feels the evidence that it is the Old Testament Gabaon is determinative. Others suggest Kh 'id and Nebi Samwil . A possible solution is that the Greek text does not locate Bērōth except as in the vicinity of Gabaon which then is properly located 7 miles from ("near") Jerusalem on the Nikopolis road at el-jib .
218. Botnia (Bothnim). Joshua 13:26; K. 48:11; L. 247:85.
Textual variants: Botanin (LXX) and Bothnin (Latin).
The location of Old Testament and Byzantine site is probably at Kh Batneh which has the proper sherds.
The "also Poteein" is omitted in the Latin text. Variant is Botenein.
219. Bētharam. Joshua 13:27; K. 48:13; L. 247:87.
The first part of this entry is missing in Vatican manuscript. Curiously so is its parallel Bētharran (K. 44:19). As in the note on Livias (K. 44:17) this is possibly at Tell er Rameh . Recent Iron Age pottery in the vicinity makes it possible that it could be the Old Testament site as well. But Tel Iktanu is still to be preferred.
220. Bethnema. Joshua 13:27; K. 48:16; L. 247:89.
Textual variants: Bethramta and Bethramthit (Latin).
See K. 44:16 and K. 138:10.