Zorah

AI summary: Zorah is best remembered through Samson. Its position in the Sorek region places it in one of the most contested border zones between Israel and the Philistines, and that frontier context helps explain its narrative importance. Because Samson's origins, movements, and burial are tied to the area, Zorah remains closely linked to the judges-period struggle in the lowlands. The cross references present it as a border town of identity, conflict, and remembered strength.¹

Place of wasps, a town in the low country of Judah, afterwards given to Dan (Josh. 19:41; Judg. 18:2), probably the same as Zoreah (Josh. 15:33). This was Samson’s birthplace (Judg. 13:2, 25), and near it he found a grave (16:31). It was situated on the crest of a hill overlooking the valley of Sorek, and was fortified by Rehoboam (2 Chr. 11:10). It has been identified with Sur’ah, in the Wady Surar, 8 miles west of Jerusalem. It is noticed on monuments in the fifteenth century B.C. as attacked by the Abiri or Hebrews. ³