Lexical Summary Tser: Tser Original Word: צֵר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance rock; Tser, a place in PalestineFrom tsarar; rock; Tser, a place in Palestine -- Zer. see HEBREW tsarar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a city in Naphtali NASB Translation Zer (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs צֵר proper name, of a location in Naphtali, Joshua 19:35; Τυρος. Topical Lexicon Overview Tsēr (Zer) is a fortified town named once in Scripture (Joshua 19:35) among the cities apportioned to the tribe of Naphtali. Though the mention is brief, its placement within the inspired record situates it in the wider account of God’s covenant faithfulness displayed through Israel’s settlement of the land. Geographical Setting The list in Joshua clusters Zer with Hammath, Rakkath, and Chinnereth—communities bordering the western shore of the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan Rift Valley. Such grouping suggests Zer lay in Lower Galilee, likely a short distance north or northwest of the present-day lake. The fertile basin, abundant water, and natural trade routes made the region both agriculturally rich and strategically coveted. Historical Context within Israel’s Tribal Allotments The fortified cities named in Joshua 19 serve as boundary markers and defense points, attesting to Naphtali’s need to secure its inheritance against external threats. Zer therefore represents Israel’s God-given right to dwell securely in the land promised to Abraham (Genesis 15:18-21) and occupied under Joshua’s leadership (Joshua 21:43-45). Textual Occurrence “ The fortified cities were Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Chinnereth ” (Joshua 19:35). Possible Modern Identification Scholars have suggested links with Khirbet Sir, Tell Zur, or nearby mounds in the Galilee plain. Although no single site commands universal agreement, pottery fragments and fortification remains from the Late Bronze and early Iron Age layers in this zone corroborate a fortified settlement contemporary with the Conquest era. Strategic and Symbolic Importance 1. Military defense: Positioned near major north-south and east-west corridors, Zer would have guarded trade caravans and monitored movements from Aram or Phoenicia. Relation to the Ministry of Jesus in Galilee Centuries later the broader Naphtali region became the backdrop of Messiah’s early ministry: “He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum… in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali ” (Matthew 4:13-14). While Zer itself is not named in the Gospels, its territory formed part of the area where “the people sitting in darkness have seen a great light” (Matthew 4:16). Thus the ancient fortified town indirectly shares in the prophetic fulfillment of Isaiah 9:1-2. Theological Themes • Faithfulness: Zer underscores God’s reliability in allotting and securing the land (Joshua 23:14). Practical Applications 1. Trust God’s promises—He who assigned Zer keeps every word. Key Reference for Further Study Forms and Transliterations צֵ֔ר צר ṣêr TzerLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 19:35 HEB: מִבְצָ֑ר הַצִּדִּ֣ים צֵ֔ר וְחַמַּ֖ת רַקַּ֥ת NAS: [were] Ziddim, Zer and Hammath, KJV: [are] Ziddim, Zer, and Hammath, INT: the fortified Ziddim Zer and Hammath Rakkath |
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