Beth-shemesh (bĕth-shç'mesh, or bĕth'shç-mĕsh), house of the sun. 1. A city on the north of Judah belonging to the priests, Joshua 15:10, Joshua 21:16; perhaps Ir-shemesh and Mount Heres, Joshua 19:41, Judges 1:35; noted as the place to which the ark was returned, 1 Samuel 1:6-20; now a heap of ruins near ʾAin Shems, about 14 miles west of Jerusalem. 2. A fenced city of.Naphtali. Joshua 19:38.. A city on the border of Issachar, Joshua 19:22; perhaps the same as No. 2. 4. A place in Egypt, Jeremiah 43:13; same as Heliopolis, or On. See On.