Crusade BibleCrusade Bible
The Bible Reader's Map.Author: Rawson, A.L. - Publisher: H.H. Lloyd & Co. - Date: 1873 · 1873

Bozrah

בָּצְרָה/BOZ-rah/

“Enclosure, sheepfold”

Summary

An ancient capital city of Edom associated with prophetic judgments, and possibly a separate city in Moab.

☩Capital of Edom

Bozrah was the city of Jobab son of Zerah, one of the early kings of Edom. It served as the capital of that nation and is mentioned prominently in prophetic oracles concerning Edom's judgment. The city was known for its sheep, and prophecies describe God's vengeance upon it with vivid imagery of sacrifice.

Key verses:Genesis 36:33Isaiah 34:6Isaiah 63:1Jeremiah 49:13

☩Modern Identification

The modern representative of Bozrah is el-Busaireh, located in the mountain district southeast of the Dead Sea, about halfway between it and Petra. The region still contains goats in large numbers, consistent with the prophetic descriptions.

Key verses:Amos 1:12Micah 2:12

☩Bozrah in Moab

A separate Bozrah is mentioned among the cities of Moab, located in the 'plain country' east of the Dead Sea. Some identify this with the Roman city Bostra in Bashan, though the precise location remains debated.

Key verses:Jeremiah 48:24

Related Verses9 mentions

Jeremiah· 3 verses

48:2449:1349:22

Isaiah· 2 verses

34:663:1

Genesis· 1 verse

36:33

Micah· 1 verse

2:12

References

  1. 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Bozrah," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  2. 2.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Bozrah," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
  3. 3.James Orr (ed.), "Bozrah," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).