Beth-pazzez — A Name in the Bible

Beth-pazzez is a name found in the King James Bible.

Who This Was

Beth-pazzez is a place name, not a person, though it is listed among the towns and territorial descriptions of Israel in the Old Testament. According to the source note, it is a location described in the context of Israel’s geography. It appears in the account of the division of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel, specifically within the territory allotted to the tribe of Issachar. The setting is the period after the conquest of Canaan under Joshua, when the land was being apportioned by lot to the tribes and clans of Israel.

The name is found in Joshua 19:21, where the boundary and towns of Issachar’s inheritance are recorded. In that passage, Beth-pazzez is listed alongside other towns such as En-haddah and En-gannim. The KJV text of Joshua 19:21 reads: “And Remeth, and En-gannim, and En-haddah, and Beth-pazzez.” It is one of several settlements assigned to Issachar, a tribe whose territory lay in the fertile Jezreel Valley region of northern Israel.

Scripture says nothing further about Beth-pazzez beyond its inclusion in this list of towns. No events, battles, or individuals are connected with it. It appears only once in the KJV, and the text offers no description of its size, significance, or later history. It stands simply as one of the many places named in the record of Israel’s inheritance, a testimony to the completeness of God’s promise in giving the land to His people.

The Name

The name Beth-pazzez is Hebrew in origin and follows the common pattern of place names beginning with “Beth,” meaning “house of.” The second element, “pazzez,” is more difficult to establish with certainty. Some have suggested a connection to a root meaning “to scatter” or “to spread,” which could yield a meaning such as “house of scattering.” However, the precise meaning of this second component is not clearly recoverable from the biblical text or from well-attested Hebrew usage. Because the name is not explained in Scripture and its etymology is uncertain, no definitive meaning can be stated. It is best to acknowledge that the full meaning of Beth-pazzez remains obscure rather than to assign it a meaning that cannot be confirmed.

A Closing Thought

Beth-pazzez reminds us that not every name in Scripture carries a dramatic story. Some places and people appear only briefly, mentioned once and never again. Yet their inclusion in God’s Word is not accidental. This obscure town in Issachar’s inheritance was part of the land God promised to Abraham, and its listing testifies that God kept His word down to the smallest detail. In the same way, our lives may seem unnoticed or insignificant, but we are still part of God’s faithful plan. He does not forget the small places or the quiet names.

At a Glance

  • Gender: Male
  • Testament: Old
  • Mentions in the KJV: 0

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