Zorah
LocationsGeographical Setting
An ancient Canaanite and Israelite settlement located in the Shephelah region of Judah, situated between the territories of the tribes of Dan and Judah.
What is the meaning of Zorah in the Bible?
Zorah was an ancient city located in the Shephelah, positioned between Eshtaol and Ir-shemesh, serving as the ancestral home of Samson and later fortified by King Rehoboam.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying Zorah provides geographical context for the narrative of Samson, illustrating the borderland dynamics between the tribes of Dan and Judah during the period of the Judges and the early monarchy.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Zorah (located near modern Tell el-Ful (debated) or Khirbet Zorah) 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 Zorah in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Zorah 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
"Zorah." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/zorah/