Beth Aven
בֵּית אָוֶן/beth-AY-ven/
“House of wickedness, or house of vanity”
Summary
A place near Bethel, and a contemptuous name the prophets used for Bethel after its corruption by idolatry.
☩Geographical Location
Beth-aven was located near Ai, east of Bethel, serving as a geographical marker for Israel's military campaigns and tribal boundaries.
Key verses:Joshua 7:2Joshua 18:121 Samuel 13:51 Samuel 14:23
☩Prophetic Usage
The prophets used 'Beth-aven' (house of wickedness) as a derogatory name for 'Bethel' (house of God) after Jeroboam established calf worship there, turning the holy site into a place of idolatry.
Key verses:Hosea 4:15Hosea 5:8Hosea 10:5Amos 5:5