zorah Summary and Overview

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.

(hornet), a town in the allotment of the tribe of Dan, #Jos 19:41| It is previously mentioned ch. #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.

ZO'RAH , and ZORE'AH (hornets' town), and ZA'REAH, Neh 11:29, a town in the low-country of Judah; afterward assigned to Dan, Josh 15:33; Josh 19:41; the birthplace and burial place of Samson. Jud 13:2, Gal 4:25; Jud 16:31. From Zorah the Danites sent spies to search the land for a place of inheritance. Jud 18:2. Zorah was fortified by Rehoboam, 2 Chr 11:10, and inhabited after the return from captivity. Neh 11:29. The place still exists as Surah, 13 miles west of Jerusalem, 23 miles southeast of Joppa, and 2 miles north of Bethshemesh. It is situated on the crest of a hill, 1150 feet above the sea. It overlooks the valley of Sorek. Timnah stands some 2 or 3 miles to the southwest, across the valley.

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.)