בׇּצְרָה (bots.rah)
bots.rah
Bozrah
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The noun Bozrah refers to a specific location in Edom, identified by its Hebrew root as a "sheepfold" or fortified enclosure. In the biblical text, it functions primarily as a geographical marker for this southern settlement, appearing eight times across key prophetic and historical books such as Jeremiah, Isaiah, and I Chronicles.
The word carries significant theological weight because of its association with divine judgment. Prophets use Bozrah not merely as a place name, but as a symbol of Edom’s hubris and subsequent downfall. For instance, Isaiah describes the Lord coming from Teman with burning coals to execute judgment in Bozrah (Isaiah 34:6), while Jeremiah portrays it as a site where God’s wrath is poured out like wine (Jeremiah 49:13, 22). The imagery transforms a simple agricultural term for an enclosure into a picture of inescapable destiny.
Translators consistently render this word as "Bozrah," preserving the proper noun status rather than translating the descriptive root. This retention highlights its identity as a real city that became a literary shorthand for the fate of hostile nations. The sources confirm its role as a concrete location where ancient geopolitical tensions met divine sovereignty, serving as a stark reminder of justice in the prophetic narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Bozrah appears in Scripture as a real city in Edom, yet its name carries a deeper resonance for readers today. The Hebrew root suggests a sheepfold or enclosed space, turning a simple geographical marker into a symbol of destiny. In the prophetic books, this location becomes the stage where divine justice meets human arrogance, reminding us that no power stands outside God’s sovereign oversight.
When Isaiah describes a sacrifice in Bozrah or Jeremiah speaks of its ruin, the text moves beyond ancient politics to address the heart of faith. These passages invite reflection on how we view authority and security. The imagery challenges us to consider whether our trust rests in fortified walls or in the One who judges with righteousness. It is a sobering reminder that history unfolds under divine watchfulness.
Ultimately, Bozrah points to a broader biblical theme: the certainty of God’s word. Whether referring to the lineage of kings or the fall of nations, these verses anchor our hope in the reliability of Scripture. They encourage believers to find peace in the knowledge that truth prevails, offering a steady foundation for faith amidst changing circumstances.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Bozrah4×
- from/ Bozrah3×
- in/ Bozrah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִ/בָּצְרָֽה\׃2×
- בָּצְרָ֑ה2×
- מִ/בָּצְרָ֔ה1×
- בָּצְרָֽה\׃\ \פ1×
- בְּ/בָצְרָ֔ה1×
- בָצְרָ֑ה1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 34:6
Yahweh’s sword is filled with blood. It is covered with fat, with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams; for Yahweh has a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Edom.
This verse uses Bozrah as the specific site for Yahweh’s sacrificial judgment against Edom, linking the city to divine wrath.
-
Jeremiah 49:13
For I have sworn by myself,” says Yahweh, “that Bozrah will become an astonishment, a reproach, a waste, and a curse. All its cities will be perpetual wastes.”
Here God swears by Himself that Bozrah will become a perpetual waste, emphasizing the absolute certainty of this prophetic decree.
-
Isaiah 63:1
Who is this who comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? Who is this who is glorious in his clothing, marching in the greatness of his strength? “It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.”
The mention of dyed garments from Bozrah connects the city to the majestic figure who speaks in righteousness and mighty salvation.
-
Amos 1:12
but I will send a fire on Teman, and it will devour the palaces of Bozrah.”
Amos predicts a fire sent against Teman that will devour Bozrah’s palaces, highlighting the destruction of Edom’s elite structures.