What was Zoreah?

Zoreah (also spelled Zorah) was a town located in the low hill country of Judah, near the border with the territory of Dan. The name Zoreah (Hebrew: Ṣor‘āh, צָרְעָה) is thought to mean “hornet” or possibly “leprous” or “wasp,” depending on linguistic interpretation. It was one of the cities allotted to the tribe of Judah and later associated with the tribe of Dan, reflecting its geographical position near tribal boundaries.

Biblical References and Cross-References

Zoreah is mentioned multiple times in the Old Testament, including:

• Joshua 15:33 – Listed among the towns in the Shephelah (lowland) region allotted to the tribe of Judah.

• Joshua 19:41 – Included in the territory given to the tribe of Dan.

• Judges 13:2 – The hometown of Manoah, the father of Samson, the judge of Israel.

• Judges 16:31 – Samson is buried between Zoreah and Eshtaol.

• 2 Chronicles 11:10 – Fortified by King Rehoboam after the division of the kingdom.

• Nehemiah 11:29 – Mentioned as one of the settlements occupied after the return from exile.

Related Cross-References:

• Eshtaol (Joshua 15:33; Judges 13:25) – Often mentioned with Zoreah as a neighboring town.

• Judges 14-16 – The account of Samson, whose life is closely linked with Zoreah.

• Numbers 13:29 – Though not directly referencing Zoreah, this verse discusses the regions occupied by the various peoples near the Shephelah.

What Happened in the Bible

Zoreah first appears in the context of the tribal allotments of Canaan following the conquest under Joshua. Though initially listed among Judah’s towns, its connection with the tribe of Dan is solidified through subsequent historical and narrative texts.

Most notably, Zoreah is remembered as the hometown of Manoah, the father of Samson, one of Israel’s judges. The angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s wife in Zoreah, promising the birth of a son who would begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines (Judges 13). After Samson’s tumultuous life and tragic death, he was buried near his birthplace, between Zoreah and Eshtaol (Judges 16:31).

Later in Israel’s history, Zoreah was fortified by Rehoboam, king of Judah (2 Chronicles 11:10), as a defensive measure after the kingdom split. The town was resettled after the Babylonian exile (Nehemiah 11:29), indicating its continued importance in the region.

What It Means for Today’s Christians

Zoreah reminds believers today that even small or seemingly obscure places in Scripture play important roles in God’s redemptive plan. From this little town came one of the most famous judges of Israel. The appearance of the angel of the Lord—often understood in conservative theology as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ—to Manoah’s wife in Zoreah underscores God‘s intimate involvement in the affairs of His people.

Zoreah’s legacy is not rooted in political power or cultural prestige but in its association with divine calling and God’s deliverance. This echoes the truth that God often uses the humble, the lowly, and the unexpected places and people to accomplish His purposes (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29).

How Zoreah Points to Jesus and the Gospel

The story that begins in Zoreah with the announcement of Samson‘s birth mirrors the birth narratives of Jesus in the Gospels. The angelic visitation, the announcement of a miraculous birth, and the role of the child in delivering God‘s people all serve as types and shadows pointing forward to the greater Deliverer, Jesus Christ.

Samson, despite his flaws, was a judge raised up by God to save Israel from their enemies. Jesus is the perfect Judge and Deliverer, without sin, who came to save His people not just from physical oppression, but from sin and death.

Furthermore, Zoreah’s appearance in Nehemiah 11 signals a return from exile, which foreshadows the greater return and restoration found in the gospel. Just as people returned to rebuild and dwell in their ancestral towns, so believers are restored and brought into the family of God through Christ.

Broader Biblical Themes

1. God’s Sovereignty in Geography

Zoreah’s shifting tribal associations (Judah and Dan) show how God assigns and reassigns territory according to His purposes. This reveals that human boundaries are subject to divine plans.

2. God Uses the Weak to Confound the Mighty

Samson, born in Zoreah, was one man against an entire nation of oppressors. Despite his personal weaknesses, God empowered him to begin delivering Israel. This highlights how God’s strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

3. Hope Amidst Exile

Zoreah’s inclusion in Nehemiah’s list of resettled towns shows God’s faithfulness to restore His people. Even centuries after judgment, God did not forget even the small towns. This offers assurance of God’s remembering love.

Reflection Questions

1. How does Zoreah’s role in Samson’s story encourage you to see value in the places and people the world might overlook?

2. What does Samson’s origin and calling say about God’s ability to use imperfect people for His glory?

3. How does the story of Samson beginning in Zoreah point forward to Jesus as the greater Deliverer?

4. Are there “Zoreahs” in your life—ordinary places or moments—where God has done extraordinary things?

5. How can we remain faithful in the “lowland” seasons of life, trusting that God sees and works even there?

Zoreah may not be as well-known as Jerusalem or Bethlehem, but its significance in redemptive history teaches that God sees the small, remembers the humble, and works through the unlikely to accomplish His great salvation plan.