בׇּצְרָה

From the study of Isaiah 34:6

Range of meaning

Bozrah: a major city of Edom, the capital in the 8th–6th centuries BCE, identified with Buseirah in southern Jordan. The name may relate to batsar, 'to cut off, fortify' (a fortress) or 'to gather grapes'. Edom ('red'): the nation and land descended from Esau (Gen 25:30; 36:1).

Against the English

KJV's 'Idumea' comes from the Greek and Latin form (via the Septuagint and Vulgate), which reflects the later Greek-era name for the region. It refers to the same people.

Used elsewhere in the period

Excavations at Buseirah (led by Crystal-M. Bennett in the 1970s) uncovered a large Iron Age administrative and temple complex. Bozrah appears in judgment oracles in Amos 1:12, Jer 49:13, 22, and Isa 63:1 ('Who is this who comes from Edom, in crimsoned garments from Bozrah?').

From the study of Amos 1:12

Range of meaning

Proper name of Edom's leading city (Gen 36:33; Isa 34:6; 63:1; Jer 49:13, 22). It is almost certainly related to the root b-ts-r, 'to be inaccessible, cut off, fortified' (cf. mivtsar 'fortified city', bitstsaron 'stronghold'). There is a separate Moabite Bozrah (Jer 48:24).

Against the English

English simply gives the name. The likely sense 'fortress/enclosure' disappears, and with it the irony of fire eating the strongholds of a city whose very name implied it could not be taken.

Used elsewhere in the period

Identified with Buseirah in southern Jordan, about 40 km south of the Dead Sea, on a spur protected on three sides by steep wadis. Excavations by Crystal-M. Bennett (1970s) uncovered a walled acropolis with large monumental buildings, mostly from the Assyrian period (late 8th–6th centuries BCE), when it served as the Edomite capital. Isaiah 34:6 and 63:1 make Bozrah the stage for the LORD's judgment on Edom, and Jeremiah 49:13, 22 echo Amos.

From the study of Jeremiah 49:22

Range of meaning

A place name, Bozrah, Edom's capital. It is related to the root b-ts-r, 'to cut off, make inaccessible, fortify', and so suggests 'fortified enclosure' or 'sheepfold' (compare Micah 2:12).

Against the English

English versions simply say 'Bozrah', so the wordplay on 'fortress' disappears.

Used elsewhere in the period

Bozrah is the modern Buseirah in southern Jordan, excavated by Crystal-M. Bennett. It flourished in the 8th–6th centuries BCE as the seat of Edomite kings who were vassals of Assyria. It is singled out in Amos 1:12, Isaiah 34:6, Isaiah 63:1 and Jeremiah 49:13.