Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction:Zorah is a significant location mentioned in the Bible, primarily in the context of the tribe of Dan and the narrative of Samson. It is a town situated in the Shephelah, the lowland region of ancient Israel, and holds historical and theological importance in the biblical narrative.
Biblical References:Zorah is first mentioned in the Book of Joshua as part of the allotment of land to the tribe of Dan.
Joshua 19:41 states, "The territory of their inheritance included Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir-shemesh." This establishes Zorah as a Danite city, although it is located near the border of the tribe of Judah.
The most notable biblical figure associated with Zorah is Samson, one of the judges of Israel.
Judges 13:2 introduces Samson's family: "Now there was a certain man from Zorah, from the clan of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. His wife was barren and had no children." This passage sets the stage for the miraculous birth of Samson, who would become a Nazirite and a deliverer of Israel from the Philistines.
Zorah is also mentioned in the context of Samson's exploits.
Judges 13:25 notes, "And the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him while he was in Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol." This indicates that Zorah was a central location in Samson's early life and ministry.
Historical and Geographical Context:Zorah is identified with the modern site of Tel Tzora, located in the Judean foothills. Its strategic position provided a vantage point over the Sorek Valley, an area frequently contested between the Israelites and the Philistines. The proximity of Zorah to Philistine territory underscores the tension and conflict present in the narrative of Samson.
Theological Significance:Zorah's significance is amplified through its association with Samson, whose life and actions are emblematic of Israel's struggles during the period of the judges. The town serves as a backdrop for the divine intervention in the birth and mission of Samson, highlighting themes of deliverance and the consequences of disobedience.
The narrative of Samson, beginning in Zorah, illustrates the cyclical pattern of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance that characterizes the Book of Judges. Samson's life, marked by both great feats of strength and personal failings, reflects the broader spiritual condition of Israel during this era.
Conclusion:Zorah, as a biblical location, is integral to understanding the narrative of Samson and the historical context of the tribe of Dan. Its mention in the Scriptures provides insight into the geographical and spiritual landscape of ancient Israel, serving as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the complexities of human agency in the divine plan.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Zorahleprosy; scab; hornet
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Zorah(hornet), a town in the allotment of the tribe of Dan, (Joshua 19:41) It is previously mentioned ch. (Joshua 15:33) in the catalogue of Judah, among the places in the district of the Shefelah (Authorized Version "Zoreah"), It was the residence of Manoah and the native place of Samson. It is mentioned among the places fortified by Rehoboam. (2 Chronicles 11:10) It is perhaps identical with the modern village ofSurah .
ATS Bible Dictionary
ZorahA city of Danites within the limits of Judah,2 Chronicles 11:12, called also Zoreah,Joshua 15:33 19:40. Samson was a Zorite, or Zorathite, Jud 13:2,251 Chronicles 2:54 4:2. It is now recognized in a secluded mountain village called Surah, on the edge of the hills north of Bethshemesh.
The road followed by Samson in going to Timnath leads down through rocky gorges, very likely to be haunted by wild beasts. It was here that he slew the lion, without the help of any weapon, Jud 14:5-7.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Place of wasps, a town in the low country of Judah, afterwards given to Dan (
Joshua 19:41;
Judges 18:2), probably the same as Zoreah (
Joshua 15:33). This was Samson's birthplace (
Judges 13:2, 25), and near it he found a grave (
16:31). It was situated on the crest of a hill overlooking the valley of Sorek, and was fortified by Rehoboam (
2 Chronicles 11:10). It has been identified with Sur'ah, in the Wady Surar, 8 miles west of Jerusalem. It is noticed on monuments in the fifteenth century B.C. as attacked by the Abiri or Hebrews.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ZORAHzo'-ra (tsor`ah; Saraa): A city on the border of Dan, between Eshtaol and Ir-shemesh (Joshua 19:41); the birthplace of Samson (Judges 13:2, 25); near here too he was buried (Judges 16:31); from here some Danites went to spy out the land (Judges 18:2, 11). InJoshua 15:33 it is, with Eshtaol, allotted to Judah, and after the captivity it was reinhabited by the "children of Judah" (Nehemiah 11:29, the King James Version "Zareah"). It was one of the cities fortified by Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 11:10). It is probable that it is mentioned under the name Tsarkha along with Aialuna (Aijalon;2 Chronicles 11:10) in the Tell el-Amarna Letters(No. 265, Petrie) as attacked by the Khabiri.
It is the modern Sur`a, near the summit of a lofty hill on the north side of the Wady es-Surar (Vale of Sorek). The summit itself is occupied by the Mukam Nebi Samit, overhung by a lofty palm, and there are many remains of ancient tombs, cisterns, wine presses, etc., around. From here Eshu`a (Eshtaol), `Ain Shems (Beth-shemesh) and Tibnah (Timnah) are all visible. SeePEF, III, 158, Sh XVII.
E. W. G. Masterman
Strong's Hebrew
6882. Tsori -- inhab. ofZorah... of
Zorah. Transliteration: Tsori or Tsorathi Phonetic Spelling: (tsor-ee') Short
Definition: Zorathites.
... of
Zorah NASB Word Usage Zorathites (2), Zorites (1).
...6881. Tsorah -- a city exchanged by Judah and Dan
... Tsorah. 6882 . a city exchanged by Judah and Dan. Transliteration: Tsorah Phonetic
Spelling: (tsor-aw') Short Definition:Zorah.... Zareah,Zorah, Zoreah....
Library
Strength Profaned and Lost
... Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought
him up, and buried him betweenZorah and Ishtaol in the burying place of...
Samson who did to Others as they did to Him
... TO HIM. There was a certain man ofZorah, of the clan of the Danites, named
Manoah; and he and his wife had no children. But the...
Concerning Rehoboam, and How God Inflicted Punishment Upon Him for...
... and Etare, and Tekoa, and Bethzur, and Shoco, and Adullam, and Ipan, and Maresha,
and Ziph, and Adorlam, and Lachlsh, and Azekah, andZorah, and Aijalon, and...
List of Abbreviations Used in Reference to Rabbinic Writings...
... Ab. Zar. [3] The Talmudic Tractate AbhodahZorah, on Idolatry. Ab. The Talmudic
Tractate Pirquey Abohoth, Savings of the Fathers. Ab. de R Nath....
A Strong Man who Lost his Strength
... Then his brothers and all his family came down and took him away and buried him
betweenZorah and Eshtaol in the burying-place of Manoah his father....
On the Road to Jerusalem
... Sometime to-night thou'lt leave us and journey to Emmaus and inform Julian what
has wrecked his plans, and send him with despatch toZorah....
Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested...
... When Israel's sins th' Almighty did provoke, To make them subject to Philistine
yoke For forty years: inZorah dwelt a man, His name Manoah, of the tribe of Dan...
Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire...
... find a list of the towns fortified by Rehoboam: Bethlehem, Etam, Beth-zur, Soco,
Adullam, Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah,Zorah, Ajalon, Hebron...
Appendices
... I will tell thee of something else. Dangerous is it to enter intoZorah. Thou wilt
say it is burning with a very painful sting (?) Mohar, come!...
Thesaurus
Zorah (10 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
ZORAH.
...Zorah (10 Occurrences). Joshua 15:33 In
the lowland, Eshtaol,
Zorah, Ashnah, (WEB JPS ASV BBE NAS RSV NIV).
...Eshtaol (7 Occurrences)
... It is identified with the modern Yeshua, on a hill 2 miles east ofZorah. Others,
however, identify it with Kustul, east of Kirjath-jearim. Int....
Esh'ta-ol (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Esh'ta-ol (6 Occurrences). Joshua 19:41 And the border
of their inheritance wasZorah, and Eshtaol, and Ir-shemesh; (See RSV)....
Mahaneh-dan (2 Occurrences)
... Judges 18:12 = "camp of Dan" 13:25 (RV, "Mahaneh-dan"), a place behind (ie, west
of) Kirjath-jearim, where the six hundred Danites fromZorah and Eshtaol...
Mahanehdan (1 Occurrence)
... Judges 18:12 = "camp of Dan" 13:25 (RV, "Mahaneh-dan"), a place behind (ie, west
of) Kirjath-jearim, where the six hundred Danites fromZorah and Eshtaol...
Kiriathjearim
... 1. Scripture References: Judges 18:12 records that the men of Dan set forth out
ofZorah and Eshtaol and encamped in Mahaneh-dan behind (West of) Kiriath-jearim...
Kiriath-jearim (17 Occurrences)
... 1. Scripture References: Judges 18:12 records that the men of Dan set forth out
ofZorah and Eshtaol and encamped in Mahaneh-dan behind (West of) Kiriath-jearim...
Manoah (14 Occurrences)
... 4). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MANOAH. ma-no'-a (manoach, "rest"):
A man ofZorah and of the family of the Danites. Manoah...
Danites (15 Occurrences)
... Judges 13:2 There was a certain man ofZorah, of the family of the Danites, whose
name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and didn't bear....
Samson (37 Occurrences)
... Of the sun, the son of Manoah, born atZorah.... The spirit of Yahweh first began
to move him in Mahaneh-dan, betweenZorah and Eshtaol (13:25)....
Resources
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