Bible Dictionary
BETH-HACCHEREM
A district associated with Tekoa and Jerusalem, whose name means “place of the vineyard.” It was ruled by Malchijah and may have served as a signal or beacon station.
Definition
Beth-haccherem, meaning “place of the vineyard,” was a district ruled by Malchijah. It is associated with the area near Tekoa and Jerusalem.
Biblical Usage
Beth-haccherem is mentioned in Nehemiah as a district under Malchijah and in Jeremiah as a suitable signal station.
Historical Background
The district has been associated with the vineyard country around Ain Karem. Cairns on Jebel Ali above the village appear to have served as beacons.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>beth-ha-ke'-rem, beth-hak'-e-rem (the King James Version Beth-haccerem; beth ha-kerem; Bethachcharma (see DB), "place of the vineyard"): A district (in Ne 3:14) ruled over by one, Malchijah; mentioned in Jer 6:1 as a suitable signal station. From its association with Tekoa (Jer 6:1) and from the statement by Jerome that it was a village which he could see daily from Bethlehem, the Frank mountain (Herodium) has been suggested. It certainly would be a unique place for a beacon. More suitable is the fertile vineyard country around `Ain Karem (the "spring of the vineyard"). On the top of Jebel `Ali, above this village, are some remarkable cairns which, whatever their other uses, would appear to have been once beacons. `Ain Karem appears as Carem in the Septuagint (Jos 15:59).</p><p>See BETH-CAR.</p><p>E. W. G. Masterman</p>