Jezreel

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

1. A celebrated city of Issachar,  Joshua 19:18 , lying westward of Bethshean,  2 Samuel 4:4 . Ahab had here a palace; and this city became famous on account of his seizure of Naboth's vineyard,  1 Kings 21:1-29; and the vengeance executed on Ahab,  2 Kings 9:10,14-37   10:1-11 . Jezreel was called Esdraela in the time of the Maccabees, and is now replaced by a small and ruinous Arab village, called Zerin, at the northwest point of mount Gilboa. Its elevated site gives one a fine view of the great plain of Esdraelon on the west, and the hills that border it; and towards the east it overhangs the wide and fertile "valley of Jezreel,"  Joshua 17:16   Judges 6:33   Hosea 1:5 , which runs down east-south-east from the great plain to the Jordan, between Gilboa and little Hermon. In this valley, below and east of Zerin, is the copious "fountain of Jezreel," near which Saul perished,  1 Samuel 29:1   31:1

2. The great plain lying between Jezreel and Acre, called from two cities on its border in one part, "the valley of Megiddo,"  2 Chronicles 35:22 , and in its western part or branch the "plain or valley of Jezreel," afterwards Esdraelon. The body of this beautiful plain forms a triangle, rising gradually from the Mediterranean four hundred feet, and being about thirteen or fourteen miles long on the north side, seventeen on the east, and twenty on the south-west. The western part is level; on the east it is more undulating, and is at length broken by mount Gilboa and "little Hermon" into three valleys two or three miles wide, which sink down into the valley of the Jordan. Of these, the middle valley, described above, is the proper "valley of Jezreel." The river Kishon traverses this plain. It was formerly well watered and astonishingly fertile, but is now under the blight of tyranny and insecurity, comparatively uncultivated and deserted. The highways are unoccupied, the villages have ceased in Israel,  Judges 5:6 . There are a few small hamlets, particularly on the higher grounds that border it; and the abundant crops that it yields, even with poor cultivation, show that it might again be made the granary of Syria. Across this plain, from Carmel to Jezreel, Elijah ran before the chariot of Ahab,  1 Kings 18:46 . It has been the chosen battleground of many armies. Here the hosts of Sisera were swept away,  Judges 4:1-24; and here Josiah fell, fighting against Pharaohnecho,  2 Kings 23:29 . Battles were fought here in the later periods of the Romans, and of the Crusaders; and in our own century, near mount Tabor, fifteen hundred French under General Kleber sustained the assault of twenty-five thousand Turks for half a day, and were succored by Napoleon.

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

JEZREEL . The Hebrew name from which is derived the name of the Plain of Esdraelon (see Esdraelon). The plain is called ‘the Valley of Jezreel’ in   Joshua 17:16 ,   Judges 6:33 ,   Hosea 1:5 .

1 . Primarily, however, it denotes an Important city overlooking the Plain on the south in the border of the tribe of Issachar. Here, by ‘the fountain of Jezreel’ probably the powerful spring known as ‘Ain Jalûd the Israelites encamped against the Philistines before the battle of Gilboa (  1 Samuel 29:1 ). It is named as an important town in the short-lived kingdom of Ishbosheth (  2 Samuel 2:9 ). Under Solomon it was in the administrative district of Baana (  1 Kings 4:12 ). But the chief interest of the town’s history centres in the time of the reign of Ahab, who established here a royal residence, to which he retired when the three years’ drought came to an end (  1 Kings 21:1;   1 Kings 18:45 ), and whence he saw and coveted the vineyard of Naboth (21). It is probable, however, that the ‘ivory palace’ of   1 Kings 22:39 was not at Jezreel, but at the capital, Samaria. To Jezreel came Joram to recover from the wounds received in battle with the Syrians (  2 Kings 8:29 ); and here, on the revolt of Jehu, were that king and his mother Jezebel slain (ch. 9), as well as all that remained of the house of Ahab (ch. 10). This is the last we hear of Jezreel, which thereafter seems to have sunk into insignificance. The place is represented both in situation and in name by the modern village of Zer‘in , a poor and dirty hamlet. Except a few ruined tombs and fragments of sarcophagi, there are no remains of antiquity to be seen in the neighbourhood.

2 . There was a second Jezreel, of which nothing is known save that it was in the territory of Judah (  Joshua 15:56 ) and was the native place of one of David’s wives, Abinoam (  1 Samuel 25:43 ). 3 . A Judahite (  1 Chronicles 4:3 ). 4 . The symbolical name of Hosea’s eldest son (  Hosea 1:4 ). 5 . Jezreel (‘whom God soweth’) is a title symbolically applied to Israel in   Hosea 2:22 f.

R. A. S. Macalister.

Morrish Bible Dictionary

1. Descendant of 'the father of Etam.'  1 Chronicles 4:3 . (Six Hebrew MSS, the LXX, and the Vulgate read 'sons' instead of 'father.')

2,3. Symbolical name both of the son of Hosea and of Israel.  Hosea 1:4,11 . Jezreel is interpreted both 'God scatters' and 'God sows.'  Hosea 1:4 refers to judgement upon the house of Jehu and the house of Israel; and   Hosea 1:11 to blessing, when of both Israel and Judah it will be said, "Ye are the sons of the living God." Then "great shall be the day of Jezreel:" cf.   Hosea 2:22,23; "I will sow her unto me in the earth." Then God will say to her, "Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God."

4. City of Judah, from whence David married Ahinoam.  Joshua 15:56;  1 Samuel 25:43;

 1 Samuel 29:1,11 .

5. City in Issachar, the abode of Ahab and Jezebel, and principally connected with their history. It was the scene of Jezebel's tragical end.  Joshua 19:18;  2 Samuel 2:9;  2 Samuel 4:4;  1 Kings 18:45,46;  1 Kings 21:1,23;  2 Kings 8:29;  2 Kings 9:10-37;  2 Kings 10:1-11 . Identified with Zerin, 32 34' N, 35 19' E .

6. The extensive valley or plain in which the last-named city was situated, in southern Galilee. It has been called the battle-field of Palestine. It was where Barak triumphed, and where Josiah was defeated,  Judges 5:19;  2 Chronicles 35:22 — Megiddo being in the same locality. It is also perhaps the place where the great battle of Armageddon will be fought.   Revelation 16:16 . It is a very fertile plain, and is now well cultivated (cf.  Hosea 2:22 );  Joshua 17:16;  Judges 6:33;  Hosea 1:5 . The name ESDRAELONis given to this valley in the Apocryphal Book of  Judith 3:9 , etc. Now called Merj Ibn Amir.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Jez're-el. (Seed Of God).

1. A descendant of the father, or founder of Etam , of the line of Judah.  1 Chronicles 4:3. (B.C. about 1445).

2. A city, situated in the plain of the same name, between Gilboa and Little Hermon, now generally called Esdraelon . See Esdraelon . It appears in  Joshua 19:18, but its historical importance dates, from the reign of Ahab, B.C. 918-897, who chose it for his chief residence. The situation of the modern village of Zerin, still remains to show the fitness of his choice. In the neighborhood, or within the town probably, were a temple and grove of Eastward, with an establishment of 400 priests supported by Jezebel.  1 Kings 16:33;  2 Kings 10:11.

The palace of Ahab,  1 Kings 21:1;  1 Kings 18:46, probably containing his "ivory house,"  1 Kings 22:39, was on the eastern side of the city, forming part of the city wall. Compare  1 Kings 21:1;  2 Kings 9:25;  2 Kings 9:30;  2 Kings 9:33. Whether the vineyard of Naboth was here, or at Samaria is a doubtful question. Still in the same eastern direction are two springs, one 12 minutes from the town, the other 20 minutes. The latter, probably, from both its size and its situation, was known as "the spring of Jezreel." With the fall of the house of Ahab, the glory of Jezreel departed.

3. A town in Judah, in the neighborhood of the southern Carmel.  Joshua 15:56. Here David, in his wanderings, took Ahinoam, the Israelitess, for his first wife.  1 Samuel 27:3;  1 Samuel 30:5.

4. The eldest son of the prophet, Hosea.  Hosea 1:4.

People's Dictionary of the Bible

Jezreel ( Jĕz'Re-El ). God Hath Planted. 1. A city in the plain of the same name between Gilboa and Little Hermon. It was a boundary of Issachar.  Joshua 19:18. Ahab chose it for his chief residence. The selection shows the ability of this wicked king. Near by were a temple and grove of Astarte, with an establishment of 400 priests supported by Jezebel.  1 Kings 18:19;  2 Kings 10:11. The palace of Ahab,  1 Kings 21:1, probably containing his "ivory house,"  1 Kings 22:39, was on the eastern side of the city. Compare  1 Kings 21:1;  2 Kings 9:25;  2 Kings 9:30;  2 Kings 9:33. Jezebel lived by the city wall, and had a high window lacing eastward.  2 Kings 9:30. It had a watch-tower, on which a sentinel stood.  2 Kings 9:17. The gateway of the city on the east was also the gateway of the palace.  2 Kings 9:34. The vineyard of Naboth was probably on the vineclad hill outside the city to the eastward. A spring near is now called ʾAin-Jalûd, or the "Spring of Goliath," and is the "fountain" or "spring" in "Jezreel."  1 Samuel 29:1. After the fall of the house of Ahab, Jezreel also fell into a decline. It is now a miserable village of a dozen houses, and known as Zerin. 2. A town in Judah, in the neighborhood of the southern Carmel.  Joshua 15:56. Here David in his wanderings took Ahinoam the Jezreelitess for his second wife.  1 Samuel 27:3;  1 Samuel 30:5

Bridgeway Bible Dictionary

Among the important centres of northern Israel was the town of Jezreel in the tribal territory of Issachar ( Joshua 19:17-18). (This town is to be distinguished from the lesser known Jezreel in the tribal territory of Judah to the south; cf.  Joshua 15:56;  1 Samuel 25:43.) Jezreel of the north was situated on the edge of the Plain of Esdraelon, where the plain began to slope down into the Valley of Jezreel. This region was often a battleground in Old Testament times, and Jezreel sometimes became involved in the fighting (e.g.  1 Samuel 29:11; see Palestine ).

When, during the time of the divided kingdom, the king of Israel established his capital in Samaria, he also built a summer palace at Jezreel. Ahab later expanded this palace by unjustly seizing the adjoining property belonging to Naboth ( 1 Kings 21:1-2;  1 Kings 21:16). Ahab’s wife Jezebel, their son Joram and others of the royal household were killed at Jezreel in Jehu’s bloody revolution ( 2 Kings 8:29;  2 Kings 9:16-37;  2 Kings 10:11;  Hosea 1:4-5).

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Hosea 1:1 Judges 4-5 Judges 6-7 2 Samuel 4:1 2 Kings 9-10 2 Kings 22:1 1 Kings 21:1

3. David's wife Ahinoam was from the southern city of Jezreel which is located in the vicinity of Ziph ( 1 Samuel 25:43-44 ).  4 . The prophet Hosea named his son Jezreel as a symbol to indicate the evil nature of the dynasty of Jehu which began with much bloodshed in Jezreel. The name also symbolized that God will sow seeds of prosperity after the destruction ( Hosea 1:4-5;  Hosea 1:10-2:1 ). Robert Street

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

a royal city of the kings of Israel, who sometimes resided here as well as at Samaria. Ahab, in particular, is known to have made this his residence: near to whose palace was the vineyard of the unfortunate Naboth. The name of Jezreel was by the Greeks moulded into that of Esdraela; which is described by Eusebius and Jerom, in the fourth century, as a considerable town. In like manner, the valley of Jezreel obtained the name of the valley or plain of Esdraelon; which is still described as very fertile, and much frequented by the Arabs for its fine pasturage. This is the largest, and at the same time the most fertile, plain in the land of Canaan; and is called, by way of eminence, the Great Plain. It may be estimated at thirty miles in length, and twenty in breadth. The river Kishon flows through it. See Esdraelon .

Easton's Bible Dictionary

A symbolical name given by Hosea to his oldest son ( Hosea 1:4 ), in token of a great slaughter predicted by him, like that which had formerly taken place in the plain of Esdraelon (Compare  Hosea 1:4,5 ).

Copyright Statement These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., DD Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain.

Bibliography Information Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Jezreel'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/j/jezreel.html. 1897.

Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary

A city of Judah. ( Joshua 15:56;  Hosea 2:22) The name means, seed of God; from Zeruah, seed, and El, God. Children were called by this name. ( 1 Chronicles 4:3;  Hosea 1:4) The Jezreel, where Ahab's palace was, lay distant from the city of Judah. ( 2 Kings 9:10)

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(Heb. Yizreel, יְזְרְעֶאל , once יַזְרְעֵאל ,  2 Kings 9:10; Sown by God; Sept. Ι᾿Εζραήλ , but sometimes Ι᾿Εζρεήλ , Ι᾿Εζριήλ , Ι᾿Εζράελ , or Ι᾿Εζραέλ ; Josephus Ι᾿Εσράηλα , Ant. 8, 13, 6; Ι᾿Εσράελα , Ant. 9, 6, 4), the name of two places and of several men. 1. A town in the tribe of Issachar ( Joshua 19:18), where the kings of Israel had a palace ( 2 Samuel 2:8 sq.), and where the court often resided ( 1 Kings 18:45;  1 Kings 21:1;  2 Kings 9:30), although Samaria was the metropolis of that kingdom. It is most frequently mentioned in the history of the house of Ahab. "In the neighborhood, or within the town probably, was a temple and grove of Astarte, with an establishment of 400 priests supported by Jezebel ( 1 Kings 16:33;  2 Kings 10:11). The palace of Ahab ( 1 Kings 21:1;  1 Kings 18:46), probably containing his ‘ ivory house' ( 1 Kings 22:39), was on the eastern side of the city, forming part of the city wall (comp.  1 Kings 21:1;  2 Kings 9:25;  2 Kings 9:30;  2 Kings 9:33). The seraglio, in which Jezebel lived, was on the city wall, and had a high window facing eastward ( 2 Kings 9:30). Close by, if not forming part of this seraglio (as Josephus supposes, Ant. 9, 6, 4), was a watchtower, on which a sentinel stood, to give notice of arrivals from the disturbed district beyond the Jordan ( 2 Kings 9:17). This watchtower, well known as ‘ the tower in Jezreel,' may possibly have been the tower or Migdal near which the Egyptian army was encamped in the battle between Necho and Josiah ( Herod. 2, 159). An ancient square tower which stands amongst the hovels of the modern village may be its representative. The gateway of the city on the east was also the gateway of the palace ( 2 Kings 9:34). Immediately in front of the gateway, and under the city wall, was an open space, such as existed before the neighboring city of Bethshan ( 2 Samuel 21:12), and is usually found by the walls of Eastern cities, under the name of ‘ the mounds' (see Arabian Nights, passim), whence the dogs, the scavengers of the East, prowled in search of offal ( 2 Kings 9:25). (See Jezebel).

A little further east, but adjacent to the royal domain ( 1 Kings 21:1), was a smooth tract of land cleared out of the uneven valley ( 2 Kings 9:25), which belonged to Naboth, a citizen of Jezreel ( 2 Kings 9:25), by a hereditary right ( 1 Kings 21:3); but the royal grounds were so near that it would have easily been turned into a garden of herbs for the royal use ( 1 Kings 21:2). Here Elijah met Ahab ( 1 Kings 21:17)" (Smith). Here was the vineyard of Naboth, which Ahab coveted to enlarge the palace grounds ( 1 Kings 18:45-46; 1 Kings 21), and here Jehu executed his dreadful commission against the house of Ahab, when Jezebel, Jehoram, and all who were connected with that wretched dynasty perished ( 2 Kings 9:14-37;  2 Kings 10:1-11). These horrid scenes appear to have given the kings of Israel a distaste for this residence, as it is not again mentioned in their history. It is, however, named by Hosea ( Hosea 1:4; compare 1:11; 2:22); and in Judith (1:8; 4:3; 7:3) it occurs under the name of Esdraelon ( Εσδρηλών ), near Dothaim. In the days of Eusebius and Jerome it was still a large village, 12 R. miles from Scythopolis and 10 from Legio, called Esdraela ( Εσδράηλα , Onomast. s.v. Ιεζραιέλ , Jezrael); and in the same age it again occurs as Stradela ( Itin. Hieros. p. 586). Nothing more is heard of it till the time of the Crusades, when it was called by the Franks Parvum Gerinum, and by the Arabs Zerin (an evident corruption of the old name); and it is described as commanding a wide prospect on the east to the mountains of Gilead, and on the west to Mount Carmel (Will. Tyr. 22, 26). But this line of identification seems to have been afterwards lost sight of, and Jezreel came to be identified with Jenin. Indeed, the village of Zerin ceased to be mentioned by travelers till Turner, Buckingham, and others after them again brought it into notice; and it is still more lately that the identification of Zerin and Jezreel has been restored (Raumer, Pal Ä stina, p. 155; Schubert, 3, 164; Elliot, 2, 379; Robinson, 3, 164).

Zerin is seated on the brow of a rocky and very steep descent into the great and fertile valley of Jezreel, which runs down between the mountains of Gilboa and Hermon. Lying comparatively high, it commands a wide and noble view, extending down the broad valley on the east as far as the Jordan ( 2 Kings 9:17) to Beisan (Bethshean), and on the west quite across the great plain to the mountains of Carmel ( 1 Kings 18:46). It is described by Dr. Robinson ( Researches , 3, 163) as a most magnificent site for a city, which, being itself a conspicuous object in every part, would naturally give its name to the whole region. In the valley directly under Zerin is a considerable fountain, and another still larger somewhat further to the east, under the northern side of Gilboa, called Ain Jalud. There can, therefore, be little question that as in Zerin we have Jezreel, so in the valley and the fountain we have the "valley of Jezreel" and the "fountain of Jezreel" of Scripture. Zerin has at present little more than twenty humble dwellings, mostly in ruins, and with few inhabitants. (See De Saulcy, 1, 79; 2, 306 sq.; Schwarz, p. 164; Thomson, 2, 180.)

The inhabitants of this city were called JEZREELITES (Heb. Yezre Ë li',

יַזְרְעֵאלַי ,  1 Kings 21:1;  1 Kings 21:4;  1 Kings 21:6-7;  1 Kings 21:15-16;  2 Kings 9:21;  2 Kings 9:25).

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

jez´rḗ - el , jez´rēl ( יזרעאל , yizre‛e'l , "God soweth"):

(1) A city on the border of the territory of Issachar ( Joshua 19:18 ).

1. Territory:

It is named with Chesulloth and Shunem (modern Iksāl and Sōlam ). It remained loyal to the house of Saul, and is mentioned as part of the kingdom over which Abner set Ishbosheth (  2 Samuel 2:9 ). From Jezreel came the tidings of Saul and Jonathan's death on Gilboa, which brought disaster to Mephibosheth ( 2 Samuel 4:4 ). The city plays no important part in the history till the time of Ahab. Attracted, doubtless, by the fine position and natural charms of the place, he made it one of his royal residences, building here a palace ( 1 Kings 21:1 ). This was evidently on the eastern wall; and the gate by which Jehu entered was over-looked by the quarters of Queen Jezebel ( 2 Kings 9:30 f). The royal favor naturally enhanced the dignity of the city, and "elders" and "nobles" of Jezreel are mentioned (  1 Kings 21:8 , etc.). Under the influence of Jezebel, an institution for the worship of Baal was founded here, from which, probably, the men were drawn who figured in the memorable contest with Elijah on Carmel ( 2 Kings 10:11 ). "The tower in Jezreel" was part of the defenses of the city. It commanded a view of the approach up the valley from Beth-shean - the way followed by the hordes of the East, who, from time immemorial, came westward for the rich pasture of the plain ( 2 Kings 9:17 ). It was necessary also to keep constant watch, as the district East of the Jordan was always more unsettled than that on the West; and danger thence might appear at any moment. The garden of Naboth seems to have lain to the East of the city ( 2 Kings 9:21 ), near the royal domain, to which Ahab desired to add it as a garden of herbs (  1 Kings 21:1 ff). See Naboth . This was the scene of the tragic meetings between Elijah and Ahab ( 1 Kings 21:17 ff), and between Jehu and Joram and Ahaziah (  2 Kings 9:21 ). Joram had returned to Jezreel from Ramoth-gilead to be healed of his wounds ( 2 Kings 9:15 ). By the gateway the dogs devoured Jezebel's body ( 2 Kings 9:31 ff). Naboth had been stoned to death outside the city (  1 Kings 21:13 ). Josephus lays the scene by the fountain of Jezreel, and here, he says, the dogs licked the blood washed from the chariot of Ahab ( Ant ., VIII, xv, 6). This accords with  1 Kings 21:19; but  1 Kings 22:38 points to the pool at Samaria.

2. Identification:

The site of Jezreel must be sought in a position where a tower would command a view of the road coming up the valley from Beth-shean. It has long been the custom to identify it with the modern village, Zer‛ı̄n , on the northwestern spur of Gilboa. This meets the above condition; and it also agrees with the indications in Eusebius, Onomasticon as lying between Legio ( Lejjūn ) and Scythopolis ( Beisān ). Recently, however, Professor A.R.S. Macalister made a series of excavations here, and failed to find any evidence of ancient Israelite occupation. This casts doubt upon the identification, and further excavation is necessary before any certain conclusion can be reached. For the "fountain which is in Jezreel," see Harod , Well Of .

(2) An unidentified town in the uplands of Judah ( Joshua 15:56 ), the home of Ahinoam ( 1 Samuel 27:3 , etc.).

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Jez´reel, a town in the tribe of Issachar , where the kings of Israel had a palace, and where the court often resided, although Samaria was the metropolis of the kingdom. It is most frequently mentioned in the history of the house of Ahab. Here was the vineyard of Naboth, which Ahab coveted to enlarge the palace-grounds (; 1 Kings 21), and here Jehu executed his dreadful commission against the house of Ahab, when Jezebel, Joram, and all who were connected with that wretched dynasty, perished . These horrid scenes appear to have given the kings of Israel a distaste to this residence, as it is not again mentioned in their history. It is, however, named by Hosea (; comp. 1:11; 2:22); and in Judith (;; ) it occurs under the name of Esdraelon. In the days of Eusebius and Jerome it was still a large village, called Esdraela. Nothing more is heard of it till the time of the crusades, when it was called by the Franks Parvum Gerinum, and by the Arabs Zerin; and it is described as commanding a wide prospect—on the east to the mountains of Gilead, and on the west to Mount Carmel. But this line of identification seems to have been afterwards lost sight of, and it is only of late that the identification of Zerin and Jezreel has been restored.

Zerin is seated on the brow of a rocky and very steep descent into the great and fertile valley of Jezreel, which runs down between the mountains of Gilboa and Hermon. Lying comparatively high, it commands a wide and noble view, extending down the broad valley on the east to Beisan (Bethshean), and on the west quite across the great plain to the mountains of Carmel. It is described by Dr. Robinson (Researches, iii. 163) as a most magnificent site for a city, which, being itself a conspicuous object in every part, would naturally give its name to the whole region. In the valley directly under Zerin is a considerable fountain, and another still larger somewhat farther to the east, under the northern side of Gilboa, called Ain Jalud. There can, therefore, be little question that, as in Zerin we have Jezreel, so in the valley and the fountain we have the 'valley of Jezreel,' and the fountain of Jezreel, of Scripture.

Zerin has at present little more than twenty humble dwellings, mostly in ruins, and with few inhabitants.