BETH-AVEN:
A city on the border of Benjamin in the wilderness (Josh. xviii. 12), east of Bethel (Josh. vii. 2) and west of Michmash (I Sam. xiii. 5). It was the scene of a battle between Saul and the Philistines, in which the latter were defeated (I Sam. xiv. 23).
In Hosea iv. 15, v. 8, x. 5, Beth-aven is probably a disguise for Beth-el, particularly in x. 5, where calves of Beth-aven as objects of idolatry are mentioned.
