Beth-aram

Beth-aram (meaning: house of height or mountain-house) was a fortified town in the territory of Gad, situated approximately three miles east of the Jordan River opposite Jericho. It is mentioned in the list of cities built or rebuilt by the Gadites following their settlement east of Jordan. The town is probably the same as Beth-haram mentioned in Numbers 32:36, where it appears as one of the fenced cities and sheepfolds constructed by the tribe of Gad.

In later periods, Beth-aram is identified with Livias or Julias, the city renamed by Herod Antipas in honor of Livia, the wife of Augustus Caesar. The site of modern Tell er-Rameh in the Jordan valley corresponds to this location. Its position directly opposite Jericho made it strategically significant for controlling movement across the Jordan fords, and the Gadite fortification of the city reflects their responsibility for defending the eastern flank of the Israelite settlement.