Beth-Aven

From Bible Exegesis

House of nothingness; i.e., “of idols”, a place in the mountains of Benjamin, east of Bethel (Jos_7:2; Jos_18:12; 1Sa_13:5). In Hos_4:15; Hos_5:8; Hos_10:5 it stands for “Bethel” (q.v.), and it is so called because it was no longer the “house of God,” but “the house of idols,” referring to the calves there worshipped.

beth-ā´ven (בּית און, bēth 'āwen; Βαιθών, Baithō̇n, Βαιθαύν, Baithaún):

A place on the northern boundary of the territory of Benjamin (Jos_18:12) East of Bethel, near Ai (Jos_7:2), West of Michmash (1Sa_13:5; 1Sa_14:23). Beth-aven, “house of vanity,” i.e. “idolatry,” may possibly represent an original beth-'on, “house of wealth.” Wilson (PEFS, 1869, 126) suggests Khirbet An, West of Michmash. The name is used in mockery for Bethel by Hosea (Hos_4:15; Hos_10:5, Hos_10:8, etc.; compare Amo_5:5).