אֵל בֵּית־אֵל
𐤀𐤋 𐤁𐤉𐤕־𐤀𐤋
ʼÊl Bêyth-ʼÊl
H416
SILEX Entry
Definition
A compound name meaning 'the deity(El) of Bethel,' specifically designating the local manifestation or association of the chief deity (El) with the sanctuary or site called Bethel. In context, refers to the specific god invoked or encountered at Bethel, understood in the patriarchal narratives as the God encountered by the patriarch Jacob. Semantic range covers divine title, geographical-locative association of a deity (El) with a particular cultic site, and an epithet referencing a local sanctuary deity.
Semantic Range
the God (El) identified with Bethel, divine title given at Bethel, specific deity associated with a sanctuary, local manifestation of deity, cultic or consecrated place name
Root / Etymology
From אֵל ('El, a Semitic term denoting deity or the chief god) and בֵּית־אֵל ('Bethel,' meaning 'house of El [the god]'). The compound reflects a common Semitic pattern of divine names indicating relationship with a cultic locale. While אֵל is a general term for 'god' or specifically the chief god in Northwest Semitic religions, as a proper name it can refer to the supreme deity. The phrase references a deity at Bethel rather than meaning only 'God of the house of God.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Genesis 35:7, 'El-Bethel' is the name used by Jacob for the site where he received a revelation upon returning to Bethel, distinguishing the god personally encountered there from generic notions of deity. The name combines a divine title (El) with a cultic place (Bethel), reflecting the ancient Near Eastern practice of associating deities with specific local sanctuaries. The term is unique and appears only in this narrative context, underscoring a personal encounter and consecration of a site. Later biblical usage tends to use Bethel as a place name, often without explicit theological emphasis. English translations usually render the name phonetically or as 'the God of Bethel.' Some translation traditions have substituted later theological terminology ('God of the house of God'), but this misses the nuance of ancient Israelite locality-based theology. There is no evidence of an independent deity called 'El-Bethel' outside of this episode; the name is a theophoric construct expressing relationship between deity and place as understood by the patriarchs.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from אֵל and בֵּית־אֵל; the God of Bethel; El-Bethel, the title given to a consecrated spot by Jacob; El-beth-el.
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Occurrences in Scripture
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