Introduction:
Petra, an ancient city located in present-day Jordan, holds significant historical and biblical importance. Known for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system, Petra was the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom. The city is mentioned indirectly in the Bible and is associated with the region of Edom, the descendants of Esau.

Biblical References and Historical Context:
While Petra is not directly named in the Bible, it is often associated with the city of Sela, which means "rock" in Hebrew. The Berean Standard Bible references Sela in several passages, which scholars and historians often link to Petra.

In 2 Kings 14:7 , we read about King Amaziah of Judah: "He struck down ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt and took Sela by war. He called it Joktheel, as it is to this day." This passage suggests a significant military victory over the Edomites, with Sela being a strategic location.

Isaiah 16:1 also mentions Sela: "Send the tribute lambs to the ruler of the land, from Sela in the desert to the mount of the Daughter of Zion." This verse indicates Sela's role in regional politics and its connection to the broader geopolitical landscape of the time.

Edom and the Nabataeans:
Petra's association with Edom is crucial for understanding its biblical significance. The Edomites, descendants of Esau, were often in conflict with Israel. Obadiah 1:3-4 speaks of Edom's pride and its dwelling in the clefts of the rocks: "The pride of your heart has deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks, whose habitation is high, who say in your heart, 'Who can bring me down to the ground?' Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, even from there I will bring you down, declares the LORD."

The Nabataeans, who later inhabited Petra, were known for their trade and wealth. They controlled the trade routes and were skilled in hydraulic engineering, which allowed them to thrive in the arid environment.

Prophetic Significance:
Petra's prophetic significance is often discussed in eschatological contexts. Some interpretations of biblical prophecy suggest that Petra will play a role in the end times as a place of refuge. This view is derived from passages like Isaiah 63 and Revelation 12, which describe a place of protection for God's people during times of tribulation.

Archaeological and Cultural Insights:
Petra's archaeological remains provide insight into the culture and religion of the Nabataeans. The city's most famous structure, Al-Khazneh (The Treasury), along with its tombs and temples, reflect a blend of Hellenistic and Eastern architectural influences. The intricate water management system highlights the ingenuity of its inhabitants.

Conclusion:
While Petra is not explicitly named in the Bible, its connection to Sela and Edom, along with its historical and archaeological significance, make it a subject of interest for biblical scholars and historians. Its role in biblical history and prophecy continues to be a topic of study and exploration.Rock, Isaiah 16:1, marg. (see SELA.) PETRA

pe'-tra.

See SELA.

4073. petra -- a (large mass of) rock
... 4072, 4073. petra. 4074 . ... see GREEK Petros. (petra) -- 4 Occurrences. (petrai) --
1 Occurrence. (petrais) -- 1 Occurrence. (petran) -- 5 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4073.htm - 7k

4075. petrodes -- rock-like
... Word Origin from petra and -odes (suff. ... stony. From petra and eidos; rock-like, ie
Rocky -- stony. see GREEK petra. see GREEK eidos. (petrodes) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4075.htm - 6k

4074. Petros -- "a stone" or "a boulder," Peter, one of the twelve ...
... Word Origin a noun akin to petra, used as a proper name Definition "a stone" or
"a boulder," Peter, one of the twelve apostles NASB Word Usage Peter (150 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4074.htm - 7k

Petra
... CHAPTER XII Petra. "This work in India . . . is ... Petra, I have called it; the
word stands for many a town walled in as that one is. In ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xii petra.htm

Parabole Th' (ix)
... he de petra hupsulotera en ton oreon, tetragonos, hoste dunasthai holon ton komon
choresai.2. palaia de en he petra ekeine, ppulen ekkekommenen echousa; hos ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lake/the apostolic fathers/parabole th ix.htm

The Christian Church
... His statement was, 'Thou art Petros and on this petra I will build My church.' The
words are cognate but not identical; the former is masculine and the latter ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study ix the christian church.htm

Again on Matt. xiv. 25:00:00 of the Lord Walking on the Waves of ...
... Church. For seeing that Christ is the rock (Petra), Peter is the Christian
people. For the rock (Petra) is the original name. Therefore ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxvi again on matt.htm

John Chapter xxi. 19-25.
... by divers temptations, that come upon it like torrents of rain, floods and tempests,
and falleth not, because it is founded upon a rock (petra), from which ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate cxxiv john chapter xxi.htm

Letter clvi. To Leo Augustus.
... Since, therefore, the universal Church has become a rock (petra) through the building
up of that original Rock [576] , and the first of the Apostles, the most ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter clvi to leo augustus.htm

Testimonies in Regard to John the Baptist and Christ.
... wife of his brother, Herod made her his own wife after divorcing his former lawful
wife, who was the daughter of Aretas, [191] king of Petra, and separating ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xi testimonies in regard to.htm

Athanasius under Julian and his Successors; Fourth and Fifth ...
... did many of the Egyptian bishops who had suffered under George (p.483, note 3, again
we miss the name of the trusted Serapion), Asterius of Petra and Eusebius ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 9 athanasius under julian.htm

Third Withdrawal from Herod's Territory.
... by the character and by the miracles of Jesus.] 18 And I say also unto thee, That
thou art Peter [petros, a noun masculine] and upon this rock [Petra, a noun ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxx third withdrawal from herods 2.htm

Herod the Tetrarch Makes War with Aretas, the King of Arabia, and ...
... armature, and of the horsemen which belonged to them, and were drawn out of those
kingdoms which were under the Romans, and made haste for Petra, and came to ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 herod the tetrarch.htm

Petra
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Rock, Isaiah 16:1, marg. (see SELA.). Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PETRA. pe'-tra. See SELA. ...
/p/petra.htm - 6k

Sela (5 Occurrences)
... It is called "the rock" (Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SELA. se'-la (sela`,
ha-cela` (with the article); petra, he petra; the King James Version Selah (. ...
/s/sela.htm - 15k

Nabathaeans
... between the Red Sea and the Euphrates was called Nabatene (Ant., I, xii, 4). They
extended themselves along the East of the Jordan with Petra as their capital ...
/n/nabathaeans.htm - 11k

Nabataeans
... between the Red Sea and the Euphrates was called Nabatene (Ant., I, xii, 4). They
extended themselves along the East of the Jordan with Petra as their capital ...
/n/nabataeans.htm - 11k

Edom (108 Occurrences)
... gulf, to the foot of the Dead Sea (1 Kings 9:26), and contained, among other cities,
the rock-hewn Sela (qv), generally known by the Greek name Petra (2 Kings ...
/e/edom.htm - 53k

Rock (176 Occurrences)
... Job 30:6 Jeremiah 4:29); compare Kephas, "Cephas" = Petros, "Peter" (John 1:42 the
King James Version and the Revised Version margin); (5) petra): 1. Names ...
/r/rock.htm - 49k

Gur-baal (1 Occurrence)
... Association with the Meunim points to the East. It may be taken as certain that
Jebel Neby Harun, near Petra, has always been crowned by a sanctuary. ...
/g/gur-baal.htm - 7k

Gurbaal (1 Occurrence)
... Association with the Meunim points to the East. It may be taken as certain that
Jebel Neby Harun, near Petra, has always been crowned by a sanctuary. ...
/g/gurbaal.htm - 7k

Bozrah (9 Occurrences)
... Its modern representative is el-Busseireh. It lies in the mountain district
of Petra, 20 miles to the south-east of the Dead Sea. ...
/b/bozrah.htm - 11k

Amaziah (41 Occurrences)
... in making these extensive preparations for war, in a time of profound peace, is
clear to the Southeast of Judah lay the Edomite state, with its capital at Petra...
/a/amaziah.htm - 30k

What is the significance of the city of Petra in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who/what is Edom (Obadiah 1:1, 8)? | GotQuestions.org

What is the rock in Matthew 16:18? | GotQuestions.org

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