250. Batnai (Batnae). Joshua 19:25; K. 52:19; L. 249:40.
Textual variant for contemporary village Bebeten (Greek).
The site is really unknown despite many suggestions. Name recurs in Abtun southeast of Acre Ptolemais (K. 30:10) is Akehō and is a territory or a region.
251. Bēthdagōn. Joshua 19:27; K. 52:21; L. 249:42.
Textual variants: Bēthphagōn (Greek) and Bethdago (Latin).
Simple tribal listing cf. K. 50:15. Jerome gives a second reason why a site could be listed for two tribes (cf. K. 50:10f.). It could be a different town and in the Nablus area, either Ras ed Diyar or Shuweiha .
252. Bēthaemek (Bethemec). Joshua 19:27; K. 52:23; L. 249:44.
Symmachus note plus late gloss on tribal history.
253. Bēthanatha (Bethana). Joshua 19:38; K. 52:24; L. 249:45.
The text has confused several sites. But clearly 'anin is intended cf. K. 30:5, K. 26:9, 13. Note the caution on healing baths, almost a rumor.
In Interpretation of Hebrew Names "Bethanath, house of humiliation or house of answering" (91).
254. Banē. Joshua 19:45; K. 54:1; L. 249:48.
Simple tribal listing that perhaps should be combined with the next into one entry.
255. Barakai (Barac). Joshua 19:45; K. 54:1; L. 249:49.
Textual variant Bare (Latin) and in Greek for the contemporary site Barēka and Barba. LXX has Barak.
Eusebius' identity of the Old Testament site errs, but he intended barqa near Ashdod.
256. Bezek (Bezec). Judges 1:4; K. 54:5; L. 249:52.
Two sites about a mile apart are clearly the Onomasticon 's Bezek. One was a Roman road station. Perhaps Kh Ibziq and Kh Jebrish with good Roman and Byzantine sherds. But which of these has any Iron Age pottery needs study so the Old Testament site is elsewhere. Perhaps this site moved three times as did Nimrin (see Introduction).
257. Bēthsan. Joshua 1:27; K. 54:8; L. 249:55.
This is a famous city of Palestine in the Jordan Valley (K. 16:2). The identity of Bethshan with Skythopolis is clearly made. It is used as a referent by the Onomasticon and has been well excavated at Tell el Husn , near Beisan revealing heavy third to sixth century occupation (see Appendices VII and VIII). There was a bishop present at the Council of Nicea. The road from Skythopolis to Neapolis (K. 4:28) was important to Eusebius (K. 26:23, K. 34:23, K. 54:7, K. 100:13 etc.). The eastern portion toward Damascus (K. 76:4) is not mentioned as frequently.
The etymology is added almost as a later gloss and without the usual formula (I Samuel 31:10 and I Kings 4:12).
In Latin it is both urbs and oppidum (cf. K. 10:25 and Appendix I).
258. Bethsames. Joshua 1:33; K. 54:11; L. 249:59.
In K. 32:26 it is Bethsamys (cf. 158:20) located at 'ain Shema . A garrison was located there according to Notitia Dignitatum (73:22). The 10 miles marks turn off from the main road.
In Interpretation of Hebrew Names "Bethsames, house of the sun" (110).