beth

Everyday

1. (a name) Beth is a girl's name, a short form of Elizabeth or Bethany. tree →
2. The second letter of the Hebrew alphabet, also spelled bet. tree →
3. In Welsh and Hebrew place names, a part meaning «house», as in Bethlehem («house of bread»). tree →

In the lessons

In stories, Beth is a common character name, like Beth March in «Little Women». In Bible lessons, Beth- in place names such as Bethlehem and Bethel means «house». It is a name or fragment, not an everyday English word.

Examples

• My best friend is called Beth. tree →
• Beth March is one of the sisters in «Little Women». tree →
• Bethlehem means «house of bread». tree →
• Beth is short for Elizabeth. tree →
• Beth is the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet. tree →
• Ask Beth if she wants to play. tree →
• And to this day the place is called Beth Gellert, or the Grave of Gellert. tree →

Note

As a name, capital B. Short for Elizabeth or Bethany. Not an English word on its own.

In Jewish tradition

Hebrew for "house of," found at the start of many place names like Beth-el, "house of God."

Interpretation. Beth-el was named by Jacob after his dream of the ladder. Tradition says it was a holy place, a "gate of heaven."

Examples

• So we abode in the valley over against Beth-peor. (Torah DEU.3.29, JPS 1917) tree →
• and Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran; fortified cities, and folds for sheep. (Torah NUM.32.36, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Jacob called the name of the place where God spoke with him, Beth-el. (Torah GEN.35.15, JPS 1917) tree →
• and Hazar-gaddah, and Heshmon, and Beth-pelet; (Prophets JOS.15.27, JPS 1917) tree →
• and Janum, and Beth-tappuah, and Aphekah; (Prophets JOS.15.53, JPS 1917) tree →
• and Beth-arabah, and Zemaraim, and Beth-el; (Prophets JOS.18.22, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

As a name, capital B. Short for Elizabeth or Bethany. Not an English word on its own.