Bethul

BETHUL, or Bethuel, a city in the Tribe of Simeon, Jos. xix. 4. the same probably as Bethelia, which Sozomen speaks of in his history. He says it is a town belonging to the inhabitants of Gaza, that it is very well peopled, and has several Temples in it remarkable for their structure and antiquity. Particularly there is a Pantheon there, or Temple, dedicated to all the Gods, situated on an eminence made of earth, brought thither for that purpose, which commanded the whole city. It is my conjecture, continues Sozomen, that the name of Bethelia, which signifies the House of God, was given to this place, by reason of this Temple consecrated to all the Gods. S. Jerom, in his life of S. Hilarion, speaks likewise of Bethelia, and says, that from thence to Pelusium was five short days journey. Lastly we find a Bishop of Bethelia among the Bishops of Palestine¹.

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