ZORAH or ZOREAH. Joshua 15:33. Colonized by Kirjath Jearim (1 Chronicles 2:53; 1 Chronicles 4:2). Now Sur'ah: ten Roman miles from Eleutheropolis toward Nicopolis. Originally of Judah; in the shephelah or low hills (Joshua 15:33). Subsequently assigned to Dan (Joshua 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 (Judges 13:2; Judges 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: Judges 18:8; Judges 11-12) between Zorah and Eshtaol; this post was a check on the Philistines, in force at Timnath three miles off (Judges 14:1-4; Judges 15:6). Here was the family burial place (Judges 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 (Judges 15:5; Judges 16:4; Hebrew Genesis 49:11; Isaiah 5:2; Jeremiah 2:21). Fortified by Rehoboam as being at the entrance of the valley, which is one inlet from the great lowland (2 Chronicles 11:10); reinhabited by the men of Judah after the return from Babylon. (Nehemiah 11:29 ZAREAH.)