ZORAH
A city of Danites within the limits of Judah, 2Ch 11:12, called also Zoreah, Jos 15:33 19:40. Samson was a Zorite, or Zorathite, Jdg 13:2,25 1Ch 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, Jdg 14:5-7 .
Fuente: American Tract Society Bible Dictionary
Zorah
(Heb. Tsorah’, , hornet; Sept. v.r. , , , etc.; Josephus, , Ant. 5, 8, 12; Vulg. Saraa; A. V. Zareah, Neh 11:29; Zoreah, Jos 15:33), one of the towns near the border of the tribe of Dan (Jos 19:41), but really within-the limits of Judah, being in the north-western corner of the valley district (Jos 15:33). It is almost always mentioned in connection with Eshtaol (see also Jdg 13:25; Jdg 16:31; Jdg 18:2; Jdg 18:8; Jdg 18:11; and comp. 1Ch 2:53). Zorah was the residence of Manoah and the native place of Samson. The place both of his birth and his burial is specified with a curious minuteness as between Zorah and Eshtaol, in Mahaneh-Dan (Jdg 13:25; Jdg 11:31). In the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles (1Ch 2:53; 1Ch 4:2) the Zareathites and Eshtaulites are given as descended from (i.e. colonized by) Kirjathjearim. Zorah is mentioned among the places fortified by Rehoboam (2Ch 11:10) and it was re-inhabited by the men of Judah after the return from the Captivity (Neh 11:29). In the Onomasticon (s.v. and Saara) it is mentioned as living some ten miles north of Eleutheropolis on the road to Nicopolis. By the Jewish traveler Hap-Parchi (Zunz, Benjamin of Tud. 2, 441) it is specified as three hours south-east of Lydd. These notices agree in direction though in neither is the distance nearly sufficient with the modern village of Sur’ah which has been visited by Robinson (Bibl. Res. 3; 153); and Toblern (Dritte Wanzd. p.a18-183).
It lies just below the brow of, a sharp pointed conical hill at the shoulder of the ranges which there meet, and form the north side of the Wady Ghurab, the northernmost of the two branches which unite just below, Sir’ah, and form the great wady Surar. Near it are to be seen the remains of Zanoah, Bethshemesh, Timnai, there and other places more or less frequently mentioned with it in the narrative. Eshtaol, however, has not yet been identified. The position of Sir’ah at the entrance of the valley, which forms one of the inlets from the great low land, explains its fortification by Rehoboam. The spring is a short distance below the village a noble fountain this was at the end of April walled up square with large hewn stones and gushing over with fine water. As we passed on, continues Robinson, with a more poetical tone than is his wont, we overtook no less than twelve women toiling upwards to the village, each with her; jar of water on her head. The village, the fountain, the fields, the mountain the females bearing water, all transported us back to ancient times, when in all probability the mother of Samson often in like manner visited the fountain and toiled homeward with her jar of water. See also Schwarz, Palestine, p. 102; Thomson, Land and Book, 2, 361; Porter, Handbook for Pal. p. 285; Tristram, Bible Places, p. 468. Consider Tent Work. 1, 274.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Zorah
place of wasps, a town in the low country of Judah, afterwards given to Dan (Josh. 19:41; Judg. 18:2), probably the same as Zoreah (Josh. 15:33). This was Samson’s birthplace (Judg. 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 Chr. 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.
Fuente: Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Zorah
ZORAH or ZOREAH. Jos 15:33. Colonized by Kirjath Jearim (1Ch 2:53; 1Ch 4:2). Now Sur’ah: ten Roman miles from Eleutheropolis toward Nicopolis. Originally of Judah; in the shephelah or low hills (Jos 15:33). Subsequently assigned to Dan (Jos 19:40) as a suitable border fortress, just below the brow of a sharp conical tell at the shoulder of the ranges which form the northern side of the wady Ghurab. Manoah’s residence (Jdg 13:2; Jdg 13:25) and Samson’s birthplace was between Zorah and Eshtaol.
Possibly Manoah commanded the military post at “the camp of Dan” (the place of encampment of the Danite emigrants: Jdg 18:8; Jdg_11-12) between Zorah and Eshtaol; this post was a check on the Philistines, in force at Timnath three miles off (Jdg 14:1-4; Jdg 15:6). Here was the family burial place (Jdg 16:31). The charge that Samson was not to drink wine nor strong drink, nor eat what came of the vine, was the severer test of faith because Zorah was famous for its vines; the valley of Sorek and the Philistine plain generally abounded in choice vines (Jdg 15:5; Jdg 16:4; Hebrew Gen 49:11; Isa 5:2; Jer 2:21). Fortified by Rehoboam as being at the entrance of the valley, which is one inlet from the great lowland (2Ch 11:10); reinhabited by the men of Judah after the return from Babylon. (Neh 11:29 ZAREAH.)
Fuente: Fausset’s Bible Dictionary
Zorah
ZORAH.A town allotted to Judah, according to Jos 15:33; but elsewhere spoken of as Danite (Jos 19:41, Jdg 18:2-3; Jdg 18:11); specially noted as the home of Samson (Jdg 13:2; Jdg 13:25), who was buried between Zorah and Eshtaol (Jdg 16:21). It was fortified by Rehoboam (2Ch 11:10), and is mentioned in Neh 11:29 as peopled by Judahites after the Captivity. The gentilic name Zorathites occurs in 1Ch 2:52; 1Ch 4:2 and prob. 1Ch 2:54 (where read Zorathites for Zorites). Zorah is the modern Surah on the northern side of Wdy es-Surar (the Valley of Sorek) opposite Ain Shems (Beth-shemesh), which lies on the southern side.
Fuente: Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
Zorah
zora (, corah; , Saraa): A city on the border of Dan, between Eshtaol and Ir-shemesh (Jos 19:41); the birthplace of Samson (Jdg 13:2, Jdg 13:25); near here too he was buried (Jdg 16:31); from here some Danites went to spy out the land (Jdg 18:2, Jdg 18:11). In Jos 15:33 it is, with Eshtaol, allotted to Judah, and after the captivity it was reinhabited by the children of Judah (Neh 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 Sura, 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 Eshua (Eshtaol), Ain Shems (Beth-shemesh) and Tibnah (Timnah) are all visible. See PEF, III, 158, Sh XVII.
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Zorah
Zorah (hornets’ town), a town reckoned as in the plain of Judah (Jos 15:33), but inhabited by Danites (Jos 19:41), not far from Eshtaol, and chiefly celebrated as the birthplace of Samson (Jdg 13:2; Jdg 13:25; Jdg 18:2; Jdg 18:8; Jdg 18:11; comp. 2Ch 11:10; Neh 11:29). The site may still be recognized under the name of Surah, situated upon a spur of the mountains running into the plain north of Beth-shemesh.
Fuente: Popular Cyclopedia Biblical Literature
Zorah
H6881
Called also Zareah and Zoreah.
A city of Dan or Judah
Jos 15:33; Jos 19:41
The city of Samson
Jdg 13:2; Jdg 13:24-25; Jdg 16:31
Representatives of the tribe of Dan sent from, to spy out the land with a view to its conquest
Jud 1:18
Fortified by Rehoboam
2Ch 11:10
Populated after the captivity
Neh 11:29
Fuente: Nave’s Topical Bible
Zorah
Zorah (z’rah), and Zoreah (z’re-ah), hornet’s town, and Zareah (z’re-ah), Neh 11:29, a town in the low country of Judahafterward assigned to Dan, Jos 15:33; Jos 19:41; the birthplace and burialplace of Samson. Jdg 13:2; Jdg 13:25; Jdg 16:31. From Zorah the Danites sent spies to search the land for a place of inheritance. Jdg 18:2. Zorah was fortified by Rehoboam, 2Ch 11:10, and inhabited after the return from captivity. Neh 11:29. The place still exists as Surah, 13 miles west of Jerusalem.
Fuente: People’s Dictionary of the Bible
Zorah
Zo’rah. (hornet). A town in the allotment of the tribe of Dan, Jos 19:41. It is previously mentioned, Jos 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. 2Ch 11:10. It is perhaps identical with the modern village of Sur’ah.
Fuente: Smith’s Bible Dictionary
ZORAH
a town of Dan
Jos 19:41; Jdg 13:2; Jdg 16:31; Jdg 18:2; 2Ch 11:10