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Bozrah, Capital of Edom
The modern city of Buseirah preserves the name
and location of ancient Bozrah, the ancient capital of the Edomites (cf.
Isa 34:6; 63:1; Jer 49:13). The earliest significant remains at
Buseireh are from 800 B.C. It has the largest Iron Age buildings found
in Transjordan, among which was perhaps the king’s palace. |
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Sela
The term “Sela” is used 65 times in the Hebrew
Bible, usually meaning “rock,” but 6 times it is used as a place name.
Four or five of the references are apparently to a site that preserves
this name near Bozrah. As part of a condemnation of Edom, Obadiah 3
states, “The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the
clefts of the rock [Sela], in your lofty dwelling, who say in your
heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’” (ESV). |
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Beidha, Neolithic Site
Beidha is one of the oldest excavated Neolithic
villages. Much has eroded, but remains are preserved from the
Pre-Pottery Neolithic period (c. 7200-6500 B.C.). The earliest houses
were round and built partly underground. Slots in the walls held wooden
beams which supported the roof. After the site was destroyed by fire,
it was rebuilt with rectangular and circular houses. The site was
abandoned in 6500 B.C. and never again inhabited. |
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Little Petra
Because of its resemblance to Petra, this site is
often known as “Little Petra.” It is entered through a narrow, winding
canyon (“siq”) known as the “cold Siq” (Siq al-Barid) because the high
walls prevent sunlight from entering the canyon and warming it. The Siq
is 350 meters long with three wider areas inside. Like its larger
neighbor to the south, carved into the sandstone of Siq al-Barid are
residences, storage areas, and tombs. |
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Via Nova Traiana, King's Highway
Two highways ran north to south through Edom and
Moab: the King’s Highway (shown here) and the Way of the Wilderness.
The advantage of the King’s Highway was the accessibility of water and
food, but its disadvantage was difficult crossings of deep canyons. The
Israelites wanted to pass through Edom on the King’s Highway, but the
Edomites forced them to go around, utilizing the Way of the Wilderness
(Num 20:17-18; Deut 2:1-8). |
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Related Websites |
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Edom (Daily Bible Study) A brief study of Edom's role in biblical
history.
The King's Highway, Jordan (Atlas Tours) Another good description of the
highway with a detailed map of the route.
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