Topical Encyclopedia
Geographical Location:Jazer was an ancient city located in the region of Gilead, east of the Jordan River. It is often associated with the territory of the Amorites and later became part of the inheritance of the tribe of Gad. The city is mentioned in several biblical passages, indicating its significance in the history of Israel.
Biblical References:Jazer is first mentioned in the context of the Israelites' conquest of the Promised Land. In
Numbers 21:32 , it is recorded: "After Moses had sent spies to Jazer, Israel captured its villages and drove out the Amorites who were there." This indicates that Jazer was initially an Amorite city before being taken by the Israelites.
The city is also noted in the allocation of land to the tribes of Israel. In
Joshua 13:25 , Jazer is listed as part of the territory given to the tribe of Gad: "Their territory included Jazer, all the towns of Gilead, and half the land of the Ammonites, as far as Aroer, near Rabbah."
Historical and Cultural Significance:Jazer was a city of strategic importance due to its location and resources. It was known for its fertile land and vineyards, which are mentioned in
Isaiah 16:8-9 : "For the fields of Heshbon have withered, along with the vines of Sibmah. The rulers of the nations have trampled the choicest vines, which once reached Jazer and spread toward the desert. Their shoots spread out and reached the sea. So I weep, as Jazer weeps, for the vines of Sibmah. I drench you with my tears, O Heshbon and Elealeh, for the shouts of joy over your summer fruits and harvest have fallen silent."
Religious and Theological Context:Jazer's inclusion in the biblical narrative highlights the fulfillment of God's promises to the Israelites regarding the land of Canaan. The conquest and settlement of Jazer by the tribe of Gad demonstrate God's faithfulness in providing for His people. The city's vineyards and agricultural prosperity also serve as a symbol of the blessings associated with obedience to God's covenant.
Prophetic References:The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah mention Jazer in their oracles against Moab, indicating its continued relevance in the region's geopolitical landscape.
Jeremiah 48:32 echoes the lament over Jazer's vineyards: "I will weep for you, O vine of Sibmah, more than for Jazer. Your branches spread as far as the sea; they reached as far as the sea of Jazer. The destroyer has fallen on your summer fruits and grape harvest."
Archaeological Insights:While the exact location of ancient Jazer remains uncertain, it is generally believed to be near modern-day Khirbet Sar. Archaeological findings in the region have provided insights into the lifestyle and culture of the inhabitants during biblical times, though specific discoveries directly linked to Jazer are limited.
Conclusion:Jazer's role in the biblical narrative underscores its importance as a city of conquest, inheritance, and agricultural wealth. Its mention in prophetic literature further emphasizes its significance in the broader context of Israel's history and God's dealings with the nations surrounding His chosen people.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Jazerassistance; helper
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Jazer(Jehovah helps). [JAAZER, OR JAZER]
ATS Bible Dictionary
JazerOrJAAZER,Numbers 21:32, a city of the Amorites, in Gilead; afterwards a Levitical city in Gad. It lay some fifteen miles north of Heshbon, near a small stream,Numbers 1:1-36:13 32:1 Jos 21:391 Chronicles 26:31Jeremiah 48:32.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
JAZERja'-zer (ya`zer or ya`zeyr; Septuagint Iazen in Codex Alexandrinus; Iazer): In some cases, e.g.Numbers 21:32, the King James Version reads "Jaazer." This was a city of the Amorites East of the Jordan taken, along with its towns, by Moses, and occupied by the tribe of Gad (Numbers 21:32;Numbers 32:35). The country was very fertile, and its spacious pasture-lands attracted the flock-masters of Gad (Numbers 32:1), the southern border of whose territory it marked (Joshua 13:25). It was assigned to the Merarite Levites (Joshua 21:391 Chronicles 6:81). The place was reached by Joab when taking the census (2 Samuel 24:5). In the 40th year of King David mighty men of valor were found here to whom he entrusted the oversight in Reuben and Gad "for every matter pertaining to God, and run the affairs of the king" (1 Chronicles 26:32 f). The fruitfulness of the country is alluded to inIsaiah 16:8 f;Jeremiah 48:32. (Note: "Sea of" Jazer in this verse has arisen through accidental repetition of yam, "sea," from the preceding clause.) The city was taken from the Ammonites by Judas Maccabeus, and burned (1 Maccabees 5:7, 8; Ant, XII, viii, 1).
Onomasticon places Jazer 10 Roman miles West of Philadelphia (`Amman), and about 15 miles from Heshbon, where a great stream rises, which flows into the Jordan. Many would identify it with Khirbet Car, on the South of Wady Cir, about 5 miles West of `Amman. The perennial stream from Wady Cir reaches the Jordan by Wady el-Kefrein. Cheyne (EB, under the word) suggests Yajuz on Wady Zorby, tributary of the Jabbok, with extensive Roman remains. It lies a little way to the East of el Jubeihat ("Jogbehah,"Numbers 32:35). It is situated, however, to the North and not to the West of `Amman, where Eusebius, Onomasticon, places it. Neither identification is certain.
W. Ewing
SEA OF JAZER
(yam ya`zer): This is a scribal error (Jeremiah 48:32), yam ("sea") being accidentally imported from the preceding clause.
SeeJAZER;SEA.
Strong's Hebrew
3270. Yazer -- a place East of the Jordan... Yazer or Yazer. 3271 . a place East of the Jordan. Transliteration: Yazer or Yazer
Phonetic Spelling: (yah-az-ayr') Short Definition:
Jazer.
... Jaazer,
Jazer.
...Library
And ii.
... had in view; and this so much the more, that in Isaiah 16:9-11"where a similar
lamentation for Moab occurs: "Therefore do I bewail as forJazer for the vine...
Index of Tunes.
...JAZER, 118 JEWETT, 500 JOYFULLY, JOYFULLY, 289, 290 (See Index of Hymns). KEBLE,
52 KELLER'S AMERICAN HYMN, 433-445 KENT, 105 KENTUCKY, 274....
How Judas Subdued the Nations Round About; and How Simon Beat the...
... And when he had subdued them, he seized on the cityJazer, and took their wives
and their children captives, and burnt the city, and then returned into Judea....
Appendix iv. An Abstract of Jewish History from the Reign of...
... first the Chasidin were disposed to support him, as having formerly filled a high
post in the priesthood, and as the nephew of Jos?? the son ofJazer, one of...
Hymns of Christian Devotion and Experience.
... Bradbury's "Jazer," in three-four time, is a melody with modulations, though more
sympathetic, but it is hard to divorce the hymn from its long-time consort...
Thesaurus
Jazer (13 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
JAZER. ja'-zer (ya`zer
... places it. Neither
identification is certain. W. Ewing. SEA OF
JAZER. (yam ya
...Sibmah (5 Occurrences)
... The lords of the nations have broken down its choice branches, which reached even
toJazer, which wandered into the wilderness. Its shoots were spread abroad....
Vines (39 Occurrences)
... Heshbon are waste, the vine of Sibmah is dead; the lords of nations were overcome
by the produce of her vines; her vine-plants went as far asJazer, and came...
Weeps (7 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 16:9 Therefore I will weep with the weeping ofJazer for the vine of Sibmah;
I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh; for upon thy...
Tendrils (4 Occurrences)
... Heshbon are waste, the vine of Sibmah is dead; the lords of nations were overcome
by the produce of her vines; her vine-plants went as far asJazer, and came...
Ripened (8 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 16:9 For this cause my sorrow for the vine of Sibmah will be like the weeping
forJazer: my eyes are dropping water on you, O Heshbon and Elealeh!...
Heshbon (37 Occurrences)
... Numbers 32:3 "Ataroth, and Dibon, andJazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh,
and Sebam, and Nebo, and Beon, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Summer (28 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Isaiah 16:9 Therefore I will
weep with the weeping ofJazer for the vine of Sibmah....
Vintage (14 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 48:32 With more than the weeping ofJazer will I weep for you, vine of
Sibmah: your branches passed over the sea, they reached even to the sea ofJazer...
Elealeh (5 Occurrences)
... Numbers 32:3 "Ataroth, and Dibon, andJazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh,
and Sebam, and Nebo, and Beon, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS NIV)....
Resources
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