Dictionaries :: Zorah

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Zorah:

place of wasps, a town in the low country of Judah, afterwards given to Dan (Jos 19:41; Jdg 18:2), probably the same as Zoreah (Jos 15:33). This was Samson's birthplace (Jdg 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 (2Ch 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.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

Zorah:

leprosy; scab; hornet

International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia

Zorah:

zo'-ra (tsor‘ah; Saraa): A city on the border of Dan, between Eshtaol and Ir-shemesh (Jos 19:41); the birthplace of Samson (Jud 13:2,25); near here too he was buried (Jud 16:31); from here some Danites went to spy out the land (Jud 18:2,11). In Jos 15:33 it is, with Eshtaol, allotted to Judah, and after the captivity it was reinhabited by the "children of Judah" (Ne 11:29, the King James Version "Zareah"). It was one of the cities fortified by Rehoboam (2Ch 11:10). It is probable that it is mentioned under the name Tsarkha along with Aialuna (Aijalon; 2Ch 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. See PEF, III, 158, Sh XVII.

Written by E. W. G. Masterman

Nave's Topical Bible

Zorah: Names Of

Called also Zareah and Zoreah

Zorah: A City of the Tribe of Dan or Possibly the Tribe of Judah

Jos 15:33; 19:41

Zorah: The City of Samson

Jdg 13:2, 24, 25; 16:31

Zorah: Representatives of the Tribe of Dan Sent From

To spy out the land with a view to its conquest,

Jdg 18.

Zorah: Fortified by Rehoboam

2Ch 11:10

Zorah: Re-Populated after the Captivity

Neh 11:29

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Zorah:

(hornet) a town in the allotment of the tribe of Dan (Joshua 19:41). It is previously mentioned (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 of Sur' ah.