Edward Robinson in the early 19th century thought Al-Bireh was the biblical Be'eroth, but modern scholars believe Be'eroth was located at Kh. el-Burj near Beit Iksa.
In the Hellenistic period, it was also known as Berea or Beroth, and Seleucid general Bacchides camped there in 161 BCE before attacking Judas Maccabaeus's forces at Elasa.
Claude Reignier Conder and others identified it with Beirothah of the Samaritan chronicles.
See Bædeker (1876) Route 14 page 325 (El-Bîreh)
See Bædeker (1898) Route 24 page 270 (El-Berweh)
Beeroth, now called Bireh, is a large village containing some 700 or 800 Muslems, and 3 or 4 Christian families. It is situated on the crest of a prominent rocky ridge, and is thus seen from a distance both N. and S. Many hewn stones and solid substructions testify to the antiquity of the site; but the only building of importance now remaining is a fine old Gothic church in the centre of the village. The walls, the eastern apse, and the sacristy are still standing. The traveller from the W. will look upon this gray ruin with something of a home interest, for it will remind him alike of the chivalry and devotion of his fathers. It was built by the Knights Templars, who owned the village during the time of the Latin kings of Jerusalem. There is also a large khan, perhaps originally a hospice, on the southern side of the village; and in the rocky slopes round about are extensive quarries and a few rock-tombs. A few hundred yds, southward, at the foot of the ridge, is an old domed mosk, built over a fine fountain, and a grass-plot beside it, making a beautiful camping-ground. Here in the mornings and evenings the Arab maidens may be seen filling their pitchers, and carrying them away on head or shoulder as in ancient days. Just below the fountain are the remains of 2 large ancient cisterns finely constructed of hewn stones; they are now converted into little fields.