What is…
Bozrah

Hebrew: בָּצְרָה —transliteration: Botsrah —meaning: enclosure; sheepfold; fortress

This is the name of two biblical cities.

1. Bozrah, city of Edom, once ruled by Jobab

   Jobab is one of the early Edomite kings (Genesis 36:33).

   This significant biblical city is mentioned by the prophets in later times (Isaiah in Isa. 34:6, Jeremiah, and Amos). It was a capital of Edom.

   God judged this city because of its sins.

   “For I have sworn by Myself,” declares the Lord, “that Bozrah will become an object of horror, a reproach, a ruin and a curse… —Jeremiah 49:13 excerpt

   …I will send fire upon Teman
   And it will consume the citadels of Bozrah. —Amos 1:12 excerpt

   It lies in the mountain district of Petra, 20 miles (32 km) southeast of the Dead Sea. Ruins of the city have been explored by archaeologists at Basira, Jordan (aka Busaira, Busairah, Busayra, Buseirah).

   Archaeologists believe the city suffered irreversible damage after Nebuchadnezzar II invaded it.

   Basira, Jordan, site of ancient Bozrah, Edom—satellite view
   Q & A

   • Who is Jobab?
   • Who and what is Edom?
   • Who are the Edomites?
   • What is Petra?
   • About idolatry and false gods in the Bible
   • What are judgments of God in the Bible?
   • Bible archaeology discoveries

2. Bozrah, a Moabite city

   It is reported to be in the “plain country” (Jeremiah 48:24), that is on the high level down on the east of the Dead Sea.

   Q & A

   • What is Moab?
   • What is a Moabite, and what is their Biblical significance?
   • What is the Dead Sea?