Bible Dictionary
Chesil
Chesil was a town in the extreme south of Judah. It may be the same place later called Bethul or Bethuel.
Definition
Chesil was a town in the extreme south of Judah. It is associated with Bethul and Bethuel in other biblical lists and may be represented by modern Khelasa.
Biblical Usage
Chesil is listed among the southern towns of Judah, alongside Eltolad, Hormah, and Ziklag.
Historical Background
The town was about fifteen miles southwest of Beersheba according to the supplied material. The name may have arisen through a textual misreading, since Bethul replaces it in Joshua and Bethuel in Chronicles.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Ungodly, a town in the south of Judah (Josh. 15:30); probably the same as Bethul (19:4) and Bethuel (1 Chr. 4:30); now Khelasa.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(idolatrous), a town in the extreme south of Palestine, (Joshua 15:30) 15 Miles southwest of Beersheba. In (Joshua 19:4) the name is Bethul.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ke'-sil, kes'-il (kecil; A, Chaseir): A town in the extreme South of Judah named with Eltolad, Hormah and Ziklag (Jos 15:30). The name does not occur again. In Jos 19:4 it is replaced by Bethul (Septuagint Baithel), and in 1Ch 4:30 by Bethuel. "Chesil" may have arisen from a misreading of the text.</p>