בֵּית הַכֶּרֶם
𐤁𐤉𐤕 𐤄𐤊𐤓𐤌
Beyt Hakerem
H1021 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper noun indicating a specific location: 'the house of the vineyard' or 'place of the vineyard.' Used as a toponym in biblical texts referring to a notable site near Jerusalem. The term denotes a location characterized either by proximity to vineyards or by a historical association with viticulture. The phrase combines the noun for 'house/place' with 'the vineyard,' or more generally, 'the vineyarded place.'
Semantic Range
toponym (specific place known for vineyards), house/settlement associated with vineyards, elevated lookout point, administrative district
Root / Etymology
Compound Hebrew term: בית (bayit, 'house' or 'place') + ה (the definite article) + כרם (kerem, 'vineyard'). The word is a construct form, meaning literally 'house/place of the vineyard' with the definite article attached to the second component. The name suggests a location defined by its association with viticulture.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Beth-hak-Kerem appears in the biblical texts (notably Jeremiah 6:1 and Nehemiah 3:14) as a geographic site near Jerusalem, likely situated on elevated terrain. In Jeremiah, it is mentioned as a point for signalling warnings against impending threat (suggesting visibility and strategic importance), while in Nehemiah it is listed among the Jerusalem city gates and adjacent administrative regions post-exile. The designation may reflect ancient agricultural practices, with the region being notable for its vineyards. The phrase is a typical example of Hebrew toponymy using 'beth' to denote significant locales. Standard English rendering as 'Beth-haccerem' or 'Beth-hak-kerem' approximates the Hebrew name but loses nuance of the agricultural and strategic associations. In post-biblical periods, the name may have continued as a marker of place-identity but should not be conflated with later usage of specific place-names in Greco-Roman settings. The later English term 'Beth-haccerem,' used in some translations, simply transliterates the Hebrew.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from בַּיִת and כֶּרֶם with the article interposed; house of the vineyard; Beth-hak-Kerem, a place in Palestine; Beth-haccerem.
Bantu Hebrew
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בית כרם (b-y-t k-r-m) — house, place, dwelling; vineyard, cultivated vine-land
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1021-01 |
בֵּ֥ית | beyt | HNp |
Beth | house-of | 2 |
H1021-03 |
הַכֶּ֖רֶם | hakerem | HNp |
haccherem | House of the Vineyard | 1 |
H1021-02 |
הַכָּ֑רֶם | hakarem | HNp |
haccherem | House of the Vineyard | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1021-01 |
Jeremiah 6:1 | בֵּ֥ית | beyt | HNp |
Beth | house-of |
H1021-03 |
Jeremiah 6:1 | הַכֶּ֖רֶם | hakerem | HNp |
haccherem | House of the Vineyard |
H1021-01 |
Nehemiah 3:14 | בֵּית | beyt | HNp |
Beth | house-of |
H1021-02 |
Nehemiah 3:14 | הַכָּ֑רֶם | hakarem | HNp |
haccherem | House of the Vineyard |