One of the royal cities of the Canaanites ([Josh. 10:1](/josh#Josh.10.1); [Gen. 12:8](/gen#Gen.12.8); [13:3](/gen#Gen.13.3)). It was the scene of Joshua’s defeat, and afterwards of his victory. It was the second Canaanite city taken by Israel ([Josh. 7:2-5](/josh#Josh.7.2); [8:1-29](/josh#Josh.8.1)). It lay rebuilt and inhibited by the Benjamites ([Ezra 2:28](/ezra#Ezra.2.28); [Neh. 7:32](/neh#Neh.7.32); [11:31](/neh#Neh.11.31)). It lay to the east of Bethel, “beside Beth-aven.” The spot which is most probably the site of this ancient city is Haiyan, 2 miles east from Bethel. It lay up the Wady Suweinit, a steep, rugged valley, extending from the Jordan valley to Bethel.