Beth-zur

A hill town of Judah in the mountains north of Hebron (Joshua 15:58). Beth-zur was built by Maon, one of Caleb’s descendants (1 Chronicles 2:45), and was a natural stronghold of Judah. It was defended by King Rehoboam of the southern kingdom in the 10th century BC, even though it was already less important (2 Chronicles 11:7). It was a political center during the time of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 3:16). In the Maccabean period it was known by the Greek name Bethsura. Judas Maccabeus defeated Syrian general Lysias there (1 Maccabees 4:29, 61) and lost the town a few years later. After recapturing Beth-zur from the Syrians, Simon Maccabeus strengthened it in 140 BC, making it one of the most important fortresses on the border between Judah and Idumea (1 Maccabees 11:65–66; 14:33).