Zereda
LocationsGeographical Setting
Zereda is a biblical toponym identified with the Wadi Zarqa in southern Jordan, serving as the eastern boundary of the Amorite territory.
What is the meaning of Zereda in the Bible?
Zereda denotes the Wadi Zarqa, a seasonal river valley in southern Jordan that functioned as the historical boundary between the territories of Moab and the Amorites.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying Zereda with the Wadi Zarqa clarifies the geographical boundaries described in the Book of Numbers and Deuteronomy, providing context for the Israelites' journey around Edom and Moab.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Zereda (located near modern Wadi Zarqa (Nahal Zered), Jordan) held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Zereda in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Zereda clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Zereda." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/zereda/