The Madaba Map, following the Onomasticon and the Old Testament (Genesis 21:32, 26:33) has its limits north and south expressed by Dan and Bērsabee. "Bersabee which is now Berossaba. The borders of Jordan extend this far to the south from Dan (K. 16:6) near Paneas (K. 16:14) which forms the border to the North." This is the limit of Palestine. The west is the sea and the east Damascus (K. 16:4), Bostra (K. 66:3), Petra (K. 142:7) and Ailath (K. 34:25). These limits for Eusebius and the Madaba map may come from Josephus' Wars I, 12, 1.
The location twenty miles south of Chebron (K. 6:8) is repeated in Jerome's Epistle 103:32. This is about six miles short of the present Beersheba. The derivation of the name is reported in K. 166:20 which also notes it to be in the Geraritikē. The Geraritikē has wells (K. 166:21, 24; and K. 168:3).
Bersabee was an administrative headquarters of the Negev region. It is called a large village in Eusebius, with a garrison in Notitia Dignitatum (73:18). Ruins of the Roman fort have been found. In Questions on Genesis 21:30 Jerome called it an "oppidum." A camp seems to be on the Madaba map about 20 miles from Chebrōn to the south.
Jerome notes a political and military reason why a town could be allotted to two different tribes.
In Interpretation of Hebrew Names "Bersabee, well of abundance and seven wells" (63) and "Bersabee, well of abundance" (63).
228. Balaam (Balam). Joshua 15:29; K. 50:13; L. 248:12.
Simple tribal listing. See K. 48:25.
229. Baskōth (Bascath). Joshua 15:39, 19:2; K. 50:14; L. 248:13.
Simple tribal listing.
In Interpretation of Hebrew Names "Basecoth, soft fat or defecation" (91).
230. Bethdagōn. Joshua 15:41; K. 50:15; L. 248:14.
Textual variant Bēdagōn and Kai paradagōn (Greek) a scribal error for the contemporary site.
On the Madaba Map is a Bēthodegana which could be the present Kh Dajun retaining part of the name and fitting Eusebius' location if the road runs from Ioppa (K.110:24) to Diospolis (K. 8:14) rather than from Iamnia (K. 106:20). It is off the Roman road.
The Roman-Byzantine site must be at Beit Dajun . The Greek kepara or kapher reflect the Hebrew kapher for "village" (cf. 52:21).
In Interpretation of Hebrew Names "Bethdagan, house of wheat" (91).
231. Bēthalōth. Joshua 15:59; K. 50:17; L. 248:16.
Simple tribal listing. This seems to be a scribal error for Bethanōth and is located near Chebrōn is Bethenim (K. 94:20). Out of order and suspect.
In Interpretation of Hebrew Names "Bethanoth, house of prediction" (91).
232. Bēthphou (Bathaffu). Joshua 15:53; K. 50:18; L. 248:17.
Textual variant Bethtaphou (Greek) follows the MT.
This entry is about the same as Tapphou (K. 98:7) but may be mixing up two Old Testament sites. It is on the road to Egypt on the border of Palestine beyond Raphia (only mentioned here) but before Rinokoura (K. 148:3). The site is perhaps near Sheih Zuweiyd . Raphia is another change point on the Roman-Byzantine itineraries and is probably at Tell Rifah . The Madaba map has a Raphia to cover this point on the sea as well as an inland city. Just below it is the wording on the map "Border of Egypt and Palestine."
In Interpretation of Hebrew Names "Beththafue, house of apple tree not evil, but we understood a tree" (91).
233. Betharaba. Joshua 15:61; K. 50:21; L. 248:20.
Hexaplaric information only. Vatican manuscript faulty in several spots here.
In Interpretation of Hebrew Names "Betharaba, house of many or grand" (91).