BETHLEPTEPHA(τοπαρχία Βεθλεπτηφῶν), one of the ten toparchies of Judaea proper, the Bethleptephene of Pliny (Plin. Nat. 5.14). It was apparently situated in the south of Judaea, and in that part which is commonly called Idumaea by Josephus ( B. J. 4.8.1). Reland has remarked that the name resembles Beth-Lebaoth, a city of the tribe of Simeon ( Josh. 19.6), and the situation equally corresponds.
[G.W]