Place Old Testament
Beth-arbel
Also known as Beth-arbel =ESV, KJV; Beth Arbel =NIV
Beth-arbel was a place destroyed by Shalman, mentioned in Hosea's prophecy as an example of destruction. (Hosea 10:14) Mentioned once in Scripture, at Hosea 10:14.
Why it matters. Place destroyed by Shalman, mentioned in Hosea's prophecy.
- Primary passages
- Location
- 32.561, 35.848 (approximate, within about 2 km)
Coordinates from STEPBible TIPNR (palopenmaps.org link). Approximate; not independently verified.
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-30 by the FaithGraph team
About Beth-arbel
Beth-arbel is mentioned only once in the Bible, in Hosea 10:14, as part of a prophecy against Israel. In this verse, the prophet Hosea warns that the fortresses of Israel will be destroyed, just as Shalman devastated Beth-arbel on the day of battle, when mothers were dashed to the ground with their children.
The exact location of Beth-arbel is uncertain, and the identity of Shalman is also a matter of debate. Some scholars believe that Beth-arbel may refer to the city of Arbela, located in the region of Galilee, which was known for its fortified caves. Others suggest that it might be a reference to the Assyrian king Shalmaneser III or Shalmaneser V, who were involved in campaigns against Israel and Judah.
The destruction of Beth-arbel is used by Hosea as an example of the impending judgment that would come upon Israel because of their unfaithfulness to God. The vivid description of the city's destruction, with mothers and children being killed, emphasizes the severity of the coming judgment.
Description from STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0, lightly reformatted. This is background reference material, not Scripture and not a FaithGraph editorial claim.
Connections
No reviewed connections yet.
Appears in Scripture
Named in 1 verse across 1 book. Occurrence data from STEPBible TIPNR (CC BY 4.0); references only, no translation text.
Hosea (1 verse)