Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
House of nothingness; i.e., “of idols”, a place in the mountains of Benjamin, east of Bethel (Josh. 7:2; 18:12; 1 Sam. 13:5). In Hos. 4:15; 5:8; 10:5 it stands for “Bethel” (q.v.), and it is so called because it was no longer the “house of God,” but “the house of idols,” referring to the calves there worshipped.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898) & Schaff's Bible Dictionary
BETH-A'VEN (house of naught, or idols), east of Bethel, Josh 7:2; Josh 18:12; 1 Sam 13:5; 1 Sam 14:23; used as a name for Bethel, "house of God;" changed to Beth-aven, ''house of idols." Hos 4:15; Hos 5:8; Hos 10:5.
Hitchcock's Bible Names (1869)
the house of vanity; of iniquity of trouble