סֶ֫לַע (se.la)
se.la
Sela
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The noun sela simply means "rock" and functions as a proper place name in the Hebrew Bible. It appears only four times, most notably in Isaiah, Judges, and II Kings. In these contexts, it identifies a specific location in Edom, likely serving as an early designation for what later became known as Petra.
Because the word is used exclusively as a geographical marker rather than a common noun describing stone or cliffs, its theological weight lies in its historical setting. The sources suggest it refers to a distinct site in Edomite territory, anchoring biblical narratives to real-world geography. Translators typically retain "Sela" to preserve this specific identity, distinguishing it from other Hebrew words for rock that might carry metaphorical meaning.
Its limited usage highlights the importance of place names in ancient texts. By identifying a fixed point in Edom, sela helps readers visualize the landscape through which biblical events unfold. The connection to Petra underscores how these ancient locations continued to be recognized long after the biblical period ended.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word Sela appears only four times in Scripture, always pointing to a specific location rather than serving as a general metaphor for strength. It identifies a rock-cut city in Edom, likely the site known later as Petra. This geographical precision reminds us that God’s promises and judgments are anchored in real history, not abstract ideas.
When Isaiah calls the inhabitants of Sela to sing, or when kings conquer it by war, these events show how nations rise and fall. Yet even in judgment, there is a call for creation to praise. This invites us to trust that God remains sovereign over every place and people, guiding history toward His ultimate purposes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- from/ Sela1×
- from/ <the>/ Sela1×
- Sela1×
- <the>/ Sela1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- סֶ֔לַע1×
- מֵ/הַ/סֶּ֖לַע1×
- מִ/סֶּ֣לַע1×
- הַ/סֶּ֖לַע1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 16:1
Send the lambs for the ruler of the land from Selah to the wilderness, to the mountain of the daughter of Zion.
This verse uses Sela as the starting point for sending tribute to Zion, highlighting its political significance in Edomite relations with Judah.
-
Isaiah 42:11
Let the wilderness and its cities raise their voices, with the villages that Kedar inhabits. Let the inhabitants of Sela sing. Let them shout from the top of the mountains!
Here the inhabitants of Sela are invited to join the wilderness in praising God, showing that even distant nations are included in His call for worship.
-
II Kings 14:7
He killed ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt, and took Sela by war, and called its name Joktheel, to this day.
This historical account records King Amaziah’s military victory over Edom at Sela, demonstrating how this location was a key strategic point in ancient conflicts.