Bible Dictionary
Bozrah
Bozrah was the name of an important city of Edom and also of a city in Moab. The Edomite Bozrah was associated with royal power and later prophetic declarations of judgment.
Definition
Bozrah was the name of an important city of Edom and also of a city in Moab. The Edomite Bozrah was an ancient city associated with an early Edomite king and later prophetic announcements concerning Edom; the Moabite city appears separately in Jeremiah.
Biblical Usage
The prophets mention Bozrah in declarations concerning Edom and its judgment. A separate Bozrah in Moab is named among the cities of the plain country.
Historical Background
The Edomite city has been identified with or near Buceirah or el-Busseireh in the mountain district of Petra, south or southeast of the Dead Sea. The Moabite site may be represented by Qusur Bashair or another location, but identification is uncertain.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
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.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(fortress).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>boz'-ra (botsrah, "sheepfold"; Bosorrha, Bosor):</p><p>(1) The capital of Edom, a city of great antiquity (Ge 36:33; 1Ch 1:44; Isa 34:6; 63:1; Jer 49:13; Am 1:12). It may be identical with Buceirah, which lies about 7 miles Southwest of Tufileh, on the main road to Petra.</p><p>(2) A city in Moab mentioned in Jer 48:24. It is probably identical with Bezer, the city of refuge. It may be represented today by Qusur Bashair, which towers lie some 15 miles Southeast of Dibon. In this case Beth-gamul would be identical with Jemail, 8 miles East of Dibon, and Beth-meon with Ma`in, Southwest of Medebah.</p><p>W. Ewing</p>