Zorah
Zorah [1]
zō´ra ( צרעה , cor‛āh ; Σαραά , Saraa ): A city on the border of Dan, between Eshtaol and Ir-shemesh ( Joshua 19:41 ); the birthplace of Samson ( Judges 13:2 , Judges 13:25 ); near here too he was buried ( Judges 16:31 ); from here some Danites went to spy out the land ( Judges 18:2 , Judges 18:11 ). In Joshua 15:33 it is, with Eshtaol, allotted to Judah, and after the captivity it was reinhabited by the "children of Judah" ( Nehemiah 11:29 , the King James Version "Zareah"). It was one of the cities fortified by Rehoboam ( 2 Chronicles 11:10 ). It is probable that it is mentioned under the name Tsarkha along with Aialuna (Aijalon; 2 Chronicles 11:10 ) in the Tell el - Amarna Letters (No. 265, Petrie) as attacked by the Khabiri.
It is the modern Ṣur‛a , near the summit of a lofty hill on the north side of the Wâdy es - Ṣurār (Vale of Sorek). The summit itself is occupied by the Mukam Nebi Samit, overhung by a lofty palm, and there are many remains of ancient tombs, cisterns, wine presses, etc., around. From here Eshû‛a (Eshtaol), ‛Ain Shems (Beth-shemesh) and Tibnah (Timnah) are all visible. See Pef , III, 158, Sh Xvii .
