The name Beit Chabeb is Syriac in origin, meaning “the house of the neighbor.” The Maradans inhabited the area in the fifth century AD and built fortresses and castles to protect themselves from Mamluke attacks. Beit Chabeb has a good number of traditional houses and churches, the oldest of which is the Saydet Al-Ghabeh Church (Our Lady of the Forest), dating back to 1761. Throughout the centuries until today, the town has retained its traditional skills in the crafts of pottery and bell-making, and it is still known for the large earthenware vats that are used to preserve olive oil or araq. The Beit Chabeb bell-makers also continue to produce many of the bells for Lebanon's churches, as well as for churches outside thecountry.