What was Be Eshterah?
Be Eshterah was a Levitical city located in the territory of Bashan, assigned to the tribe of Levi, specifically to the Gershonite clan (one of the three main Levitical divisions). The name appears in Joshua 21:27 as one of the cities given to the Levites out of the inheritance of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan. The Hebrew name בְּעֵשְׁתְּרָה (Be-Eshterah) likely means “House of Astarte” or “House of Eshterah,” referring to a Canaanite goddess, though it may have been retained merely as a geographic label by the time the Israelites inhabited it.
“To the Gershonite clans of the Levites, they gave Golan in Bashan (a city of refuge for one accused of murder) and Be Eshterah, both in Bashan, together with their pasturelands.”
— Joshua 21:27, NIV
Be Eshterah is mentioned alongside Golan, which was a city of refuge. This pairing situates Be Eshterah in the broader context of sanctuary, service, and priestly ministry, especially as part of the sacred responsibility of the Levites to teach the Law and preserve worship in Israel.
Biblical References and Geographic Location
- Joshua 21:27 – The city is listed as one of the Levitical cities given to the Gershonites in Bashan.
- 1 Chronicles 6:71 – A parallel listing names this city as Ashtaroth, suggesting that Be Eshterah and Ashtaroth may be the same location or closely associated.
- Deuteronomy 1:4 – The city of Ashtaroth was previously associated with Og king of Bashan, giving further context to the spiritual history of the region.
Be Eshterah is believed to have been situated near the ancient city of Ashtaroth (Ashtaroth-Karnaim), a city of notable Canaanite religious influence. The area of Bashan, in which it was located, was a fertile and militarily strategic region east of the Jordan River.
Historical and Cultural Context
Be Eshterah, like many place names in Canaan, reflects the region’s pagan past. The name “Eshterah” is linked to Astarte, a goddess of fertility and war worshiped in various forms throughout the ancient Near East. However, despite the pagan etymology, the Lord commanded that the land be cleansed and repurposed for holy service. In this way, even cities with idolatrous names could become centers of worship to the true God when sanctified for His use.
That Be Eshterah was assigned to the Gershonites is significant. The Gershonites were charged with caring for the tabernacle curtains, coverings, and framework (Numbers 3:25-26). They did not minister in the tabernacle like the Aaronic priests but provided essential support to the sacrificial system and the teaching of the Law. Their presence in places like Be Eshterah brought the knowledge of God to the people and maintained the worship of Yahweh in distant regions.
Theological Significance and Application for Today
Be Eshterah illustrates God’s plan for redeeming land, people, and even cultural remnants for His glory. A city that once may have honored false gods was transformed into a Levitical hub for teaching God’s Law and promoting spiritual purity among the people.
For today’s Christians, this transformation of Be Eshterah reminds us of how God sanctifies what was once unholy for His purposes. Just as the Levites were placed in every tribe’s territory to preserve Israel’s identity and covenantal faithfulness, believers are now called to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13–16). No place or person is beyond God’s redeeming reach.
The Levites in Be Eshterah served without land inheritance, relying on God and the support of the people. Their presence speaks to a life of dependence, holiness, and service—an image echoed in the New Testament call to Christians as a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9), set apart to proclaim the excellencies of Christ.
How It Points to Jesus and the Gospel
Be Eshterah’s transformation from a pagan location to a Levitical city foreshadows Christ’s redemptive work. Jesus entered a fallen world filled with idolatry and reclaimed hearts and nations for God‘s kingdom. Just as the Levites did not choose where to live but were sent by God, so Jesus was sent to a spiritually dark world “to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10).
Moreover, the pairing of Be Eshterah with Golan, a city of refuge, reinforces a key gospel theme: refuge in the mercy of God. In Christ, sinners find sanctuary not in a city but in a Savior. As Golan gave physical protection, Jesus gives eternal spiritual refuge to all who believe in Him.
Broader Biblical Themes
1. Redemption of Idolatrous Places
- God has the power to transform spaces once devoted to false gods into centers of truth and worship.
- Examples: Jericho (Joshua 6); Samaria (John 4); Rome (Romans 1 and Romans 16).
2. The Scattering of God’s Servants
- Levites were intentionally spread throughout Israel to teach, correct, and remind the people of God’s covenant.
- Similarly, the Church is scattered across the world to be witnesses (Acts 1:8).
3. The Role of the Priesthood
- The Gershonites represent the “behind-the-scenes” ministry that upholds the visible worship of God.
- In the body of Christ, not all are visible leaders, but all serve (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).
4. Sanctuary and Refuge
- Just as nearby Golan was a city of refuge, the gospel offers safety from judgment through the blood of Jesus.
- God’s mercy is seen in the provision of both physical and spiritual refuge.
Reflection Questions
- What does the transformation of Be Eshterah teach us about God’s ability to redeem places, people, and stories?
- How can we, like the Gershonites, serve faithfully in the roles God has assigned us, even if they are not in the spotlight?
- What areas in your life once devoted to the world might now be repurposed for God’s glory?
- How does the idea of sanctuary and refuge in Be Eshterah help you better understand the gospel of Jesus Christ?
- Are you willing to be “scattered” like the Levites to places that need truth, light, and witness?
Be Eshterah may seem like a small, obscure place in Scripture, but its legacy echoes God’s redemptive design—turning former strongholds of darkness into dwellings of divine presence.