Lexical Summary Botsrah: Bozrah Original Word: בָּצְרָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Bozrah The same as botsrah; Botsrah, a place in Edom -- Bozrah. see HEBREW botsrah Brown-Driver-Briggs II. בָּצְרָה proper name, of a location 1. city of Edom (fortress; (see Palmyrene proper name, of a location בצרא VogNo. 22 ᵐ5 βος(ς)ορρα; compare βοσορ; LagOnom. Sacr. 102, 232, 2nd ed. 137, 247 = βοστρα) Genesis 36:33 = 1 Chronicles 1:44; Isaiah 34:6; Isaiah 63:1 (in both "" (ארץ) אדום) Jeremiah 49:13,22; Amos 1:12. 2 of Moab Jeremiah 48:24, probably = II.בֶּצֶר 1; — on Micah 2:12 compare foregoing. Topical Lexicon Geographical Orientation Bozrah designates two fortified cities east of the Jordan—one in Edom, the other in Moab. Both lie on key caravan routes south and southeast of the Dead Sea, commanding trade and military passages that linked Arabia with the Mediterranean basin. Bozrah in the Patriarchal Records In Genesis 36:33 and the parallel account in 1 Chronicles 1:44, Bozrah is introduced as the hometown of the early Edomite king Jobab son of Zerah: “When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah reigned in his place.” The reference places Bozrah among the earliest royal cities descended from Esau, providing a concrete geographical witness to the fulfillment of Genesis 36:31 that Edom produced kings “before any king reigned over the Israelites.” Royal Line of Edom The mention of an Edomite king from Bozrah underlines the political organization of Edom before Israel’s own monarchy. This confirms God’s prophetic word to Rebekah (Genesis 25:23) that the older would be established first yet ultimately serve the younger. Bozrah therefore becomes a vivid reminder that divine election governs history, not merely human succession. Prophetic Oracles of Judgment The prophets uniformly portray Bozrah as a focus of divine wrath: • Isaiah 34:6 sets the scene for universal judgment: “For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah, a great slaughter in the land of Edom.” • Jeremiah 49:13 soundly predicts permanent devastation: “Bozrah will become a desolation, a reproach, a ruin, and a curse.” • Amos 1:12 announces punitive fire: “I will send fire upon Teman to consume the citadels of Bozrah.” These prophecies hinge on Edom’s violence and longstanding enmity toward Israel (Obadiah 10–14). Bozrah, emblematic of Edom’s pride, thus stands as a showcase of retributive justice. Bozrah and the Concept of the Day of the Lord Isaiah 63:1 contains the dramatic question, “Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments?” The returning Conqueror is the LORD Himself, whose garments are spattered with the lifeblood of His foes (Isaiah 63:3). The passage intertwines judgment with redemption: the same act that vindicates Zion crushes the enemies encircling her. The location underscores that the Day of the Lord extends beyond Israel’s borders to the nations allied against her. The Moabite Counterpart Jeremiah 48:24 includes a Bozrah among Moab’s cities. Though sharing the name, it suffers the same fate as Edom’s stronghold—loss of wealth, power, and population—again stressing that pride brings ruin whether in Edom or Moab (Proverbs 16:18). The dual usage of the name highlights the Omniscient reach of God’s judgment. Archaeological and Historical Insights The Edomite site is commonly identified with modern Buseirah in Jordan, where excavations reveal an Iron Age citadel, domestic quarters, and cultic areas. These finds corroborate the Old Testament picture of a well-defended urban center controlling trade routes. Yet no lasting habitation followed the Roman period, echoing the prophetic verdict of enduring desolation (Jeremiah 49:13). Salvation Imagery Emerging from Judgment Bozrah’s lurid scenes of slaughter ultimately serve a redemptive motif: God’s people are rescued precisely because their adversaries are overthrown. The blood-drenched Champion of Isaiah 63 prefigures Messiah’s final victory, making Bozrah a prophetic backdrop for Revelation 19:13-16 where Christ appears “clothed in a robe dipped in blood.” Lessons for Ministry 1. God’s purposes encompass both nations and individuals; His word reaches remote fortresses as surely as royal palaces. Bozrah, once a bastion of Edomite power, now endures solely in Scripture and ruins—silent testimony that “the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8). Forms and Transliterations בְּבָצְרָ֔ה בָּצְרָ֑ה בָּצְרָֽה׃ בָצְרָ֑ה בבצרה בצרה בצרה׃ מִבָּצְרָ֔ה מִבָּצְרָֽה׃ מבצרה מבצרה׃ ḇā·ṣə·rāh bāṣ·rāh ḇāṣərāh bāṣrāh bə·ḇā·ṣə·rāh bəḇāṣərāh bevatzeRah botzrah mib·bā·ṣə·rāh mibbāṣərāh mibbatzeRah vatzeRahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 36:33 HEB: בֶּן־ זֶ֖רַח מִבָּצְרָֽה׃ NAS: of Zerah of Bozrah became king KJV: of Zerah of Bozrah reigned INT: the son of Zerah of Bozrah 1 Chronicles 1:44 Isaiah 34:6 Isaiah 63:1 Jeremiah 48:24 Jeremiah 49:13 Jeremiah 49:22 Amos 1:12 8 Occurrences |
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