Bible Dictionary
BAEAN
Baean was a tribe hostile to the Jews and opposed to their religion and the rebuilding of the sanctuary. Judas Maccabee defeated and destroyed them after their aggression against the Jewish people.
Definition
The Belaites were descendants of Bela and formed a family or clan associated with the tribe of Benjamin.
Biblical Usage
Belaites are mentioned in the genealogical listing of Israelite clans. Their biblical identity is derived from their descent from Bela.
Historical Background
The name means “belonging to Bela.” The supplied material identifies them with the descendants of Bela but gives no further historical detail.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>be'-an huioi Baian; the King James Version Bean; 1 Macc 5:4: A tribe mentioned only because of its malignant hatred of the Jews. Its aggressive hostility against their religion and the rebuilding of their sanctuary duplicated the conspiracy of Sanballat and his confederates against the restoration of Jerusalem and the temple in the days of Nehemiah (compare Ne 4:7,8). Utterly exterminated by Judas Maccabeus who burned alive, in towers, many of the imprisoned people. See MAON.</p>