"And he called the name of that place Bethel."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Bethel Meaning in the Bible
Bethel
girl
Bethel means "House of God", a girl's name of Hebrew origin. Bethel appears in the King James Bible, and Genesis 28:19 is the passage most often tied to it. Bethel transforms ordinary places into sacred spaces — wherever God meets us becomes the House of God and the gate of heaven.
Is Bethel in the Bible?
Yes — Bethel (spelled Beth-el in the King James Bible) appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 28:19.
Pronunciation:/BETH-el/
OriginHebrew
MeaningHouse of God
What does Bethel mean?
Bethel is a girl name of Hebrew origin meaning "House of God". Bethel was the place where Jacob dreamed of a ladder reaching heaven with angels ascending and descending. He named the place 'House of God,' declaring it holy ground. Bethel represents any place where heaven touches earth through divine encounter.
Which Bible Character Are You?
Take this free Bible personality quiz to discover which Bible character you are most like. 10 questions, instant result with a King James verse.
One of 36 free KJV quizzes — see them all.
What does Bethel mean in the Bible?
Bethel means "House of God" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Bethel was the place where Jacob dreamed of a ladder reaching heaven with angels ascending and descending. He named the place 'House of God,' declaring it holy ground. Bethel represents any place where heaven touches earth through divine encounter.
Where does Bethel appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Bethel is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with Genesis 28:19. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven."
Take the KJV Bible with You
Download the complete King James Bible as a free PDF — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
What are the variants and nicknames of Bethel?
Bethel has 2 recorded variants, short forms, and translations across languages and biblical traditions.
Which books of the Bible mention Bethel?
Bethel is mentioned across 4 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Bethel?
Bethel transforms ordinary places into sacred spaces — wherever God meets us becomes the House of God and the gate of heaven.
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Location
Bethel in the Bible
The place where Jacob saw the ladder to heaven — 'the house of God.'
Devotional
Hebrews 11:1 — Meaning & Devotional
Faith
Devotional
Hebrews 13:5 — Meaning & Devotional
Contentment
Commentary
Hebrews 4:12 Commentary
In-depth study • Scripture's Power
Commentary
Hebrews 10:24-25 Commentary
In-depth study • Christian Community
Word Meaning
Holy (קָדוֹשׁ (qadosh))
Set apart, sacred, and morally pure — the defining attribute of God.
What names are related to Bethel?
Names like Bethel
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "House of God" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Bethel
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Bethel
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Bethel name meaning: frequently asked questions
Common questions about the name Bethel
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Bethel?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Bethel?
You can read every verse where Bethel appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.