Bible Dictionary
BETH-ZUR
A fortified town in the hill country of Judah, strengthened by Rehoboam and important during the Maccabean wars. Its ruins, Beit Cur, lie north of Hebron on the road from Jerusalem.
Definition
Beth-zur was a fortified town in the hill country of Judah. It was near Halhul and Gedor, was fortified by Rehoboam, and later became important during the Maccabean wars. Nehemiah refers to a ruler of half the district of Beth-zur.
Biblical Usage
Beth-zur is named among the towns of Judah, in the account of Rehoboam’s fortifications, in Nehemiah’s administration, and repeatedly in the Maccabean history.
Historical Background
The ruined site, Beit Cur, lies about four miles north of Hebron on the road from Jerusalem. Its hilltop position dominated the highway and guarded a southern approach to the Judean plateau.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>beth'-zur (beth-tsur; Baith-sour, "house of rock"; less probably "house of the god Zur"):</p><p>(1) Mentioned (Jos 15:58) as near Halhul and Gedor in the hill country of Judah; fortified by Rehoboam (2Ch 11:7). In Ne 3:16 mention is made of "Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of half the district of Beth-zur." During the Maccabean wars it (Bethsura) came into great importance (1 Macc 4:29,61; 6:7,26,31,49,50; 9:52; 10:14; 11:65; 14:7,33). Josephus describes it as the strongest place in all Judea (Ant., XIII, v, 6). It was inhabited in the days of Eusebius and Jerome.</p><p>(2) It is the ruined site Belt Cur, near the main road from Jerusalem to Hebron, and some 4 miles North of the latter. Its importance lay in its natural strength, on a hilltop dominating the highroad, and also in its guarding the one southerly approach for a hostile army by the Vale of Elah to the Judean plateau. The site today is conspicuous from a distance through the presence of a ruined medieval tower. (See PEF, III, 311, Sh XXI).</p><p>E. W. G. Masterman</p>