Bentheim-Steinfurt was a historical county located in northwestern North Rhine-Westphalia in the region surrounding Steinfurt, Germany.

After the latter's early death at age 26, he was succeeded by his infant child, Arnold III, under the regency of Anna of Tecklenburg.

Arnold III married Magdalena of Neuenahr in 1576, and he began attempts to properly convert the county to Protestantism.

In the autumn of 1587, Lutheran preachers from across Germany were invited to help reform the Counties of Bentheim, Steinfurt, Lingen and Tecklenburg.

Arnold also founded a successful school in Schüttorf during 1588, which was relocated to Steinfurt in 1591 and taught Latin, law, theology, philosophy and (from 1607) medicine.