Bible Dictionary
ZELA, ZELAH
Zela, or Zelah, was a city in Benjamin and the burial place of Saul’s family. The bones of Saul and Jonathan were brought there for burial; the site has not been positively identified.
Definition
Zela, or Zelah, was a city in the territory of Benjamin and the burial place of Saul’s family. The bones of Saul and Jonathan were brought there for burial.
Biblical Usage
Joshua lists Zela among the cities of Benjamin. Second Samuel identifies it as the burial place to which the bones of Saul and Jonathan were brought.
Historical Background
The site has not been identified. It may possibly be related to Zilu of the Tell el-Amarna Letters, but this is not certain.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ze'-la (tsela` (2Sa 21:14)): A city in the territory of Benjamin (Jos 18:28; the Septuagint here omits). Here was the burying-place of the family of Saul, whither the bones of the king and of Jonathan were brought for burial (2Sa 21:14; the Septuagint here reads en te pleura, translating tsela`, "side"). The place is not identified. It may be the Zilu of the Tell el-Amarna Letters.</p>