Bozrah was an important city in Edom, often mentioned in prophecies of judgment.
Bozrah was a prominent city in the land of Edom, located southeast of the Dead Sea. It served as the capital of Edom during the reign of King Jobab, son of Zerah (Genesis 36:33, 1Ch.1.44). The prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Amos mention Bozrah in their oracles of judgment against Edom (Isaiah 34:6, 63:1; Jeremiah 49:13, 22; Amo.1.12). These prophecies depict Bozrah as a symbol of Edom's power and pride, which would be brought low by God's judgment.
Isaiah's prophecy portrays God as a warrior coming from Bozrah with blood-stained garments, symbolizing His vengeance against Edom (Isaiah 63:1-6). Jeremiah foretells that Bozrah would become a desolation and a curse, with its inhabitants fleeing in terror (Jeremiah 49:13, 22). Amos declares that God would send fire upon Bozrah, consuming its palaces (Amo.1.12).
The exact location of Bozrah is uncertain, but it is believed to be near the modern town of Busaira in southern Jordan. It should not be confused with the Levitical city of Bezer, also called Bozrah, in the territory of Reuben (Deu.4.43, Joshua 20:8).
Approximate location: 30.735, 35.606 · view on a map · on the Bible atlas
Enclosure; fortress. (1.) The city of Jobab, one of the early Edomite kings (Gen. 36:33). This place is mentioned by the prophets in later times (Isa. 34:6; Jer. 49:13; Amos 1:12; Micah 2:12). Its modern representative is el-Busseireh. It lies in the mountain district of Petra, 20 miles to the south-east of the Dead Sea. (2.) A Moabite city in the “plain country” (Jer. 48:24), i.e., on the high level down on the east of the Dead Sea. It is probably the modern Buzrah.
in tribulation or distress
BOZ'RAH (fortress), two cities. 1. Bozrah in Edoin, Isa 34:6; Isa 63:1, which was to become a perpetual waste, Jer 49:13; Am 1:12; Mic 2:12; modern Buseirah, in the mountains of Petra, 20 miles south-east of the Dead Sea. Bozrah in Moab. Jer 48:24. Judgment has surely fallen upon it. Porter thinks it the same as modern Buzrah, where are the ruins of a magnificent city nearly 5 miles in circuit, once having 100,000 inhabitants, but now only 20 families. It is near the Hauran, 60 miles south of Damascus. Portions of its massive walls and towers, theatre, temples, stone doors and roofs, some of the ruins of the work of the early inhabitants. perhaps the giants Bephaim, and more of the work of later Roman builders, are still to be seen in good state of preservation. Bozrah at one time had 17 bishops under its archbishop.
Easton (1897), Smith (1863), Hitchcock (1869), Hastings (1898) and Schaff are in the public domain. Parsed text: neuu-org/bible-dictionary-dataset (CC BY 4.0). Headwords and whitespace normalised for this site.
7 verses in 5 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H1224
When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah reigned in his place.
When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah reigned in his place.
The sword of the LORD is bathed in blood. It drips with fat— with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah, a great slaughter in the land of Edom.
Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.”
For by Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, that Bozrah will become a desolation, a disgrace, a ruin, and a curse, and all her cities will be in ruins forever.”
Look! An eagle will soar and swoop down, spreading its wings over Bozrah. In that day the hearts of Edomʼs mighty men will be like the heart of a woman in labor.
So I will send fire upon Teman to consume the citadels of Bozrah.”
Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.