H5554 H5554
Sela, a fortress city in Edom; possibly Petra
This place name designates a fortified site in Edom, traditionally identified with Petra (Greek 'petra' = rock) though modern scholars debate this. Judges 1:36 marks it as the Amorite border. Second Kings 14:7 records Amaziah capturing 'Sela' in battle and renaming it Joktheel—a rare instance of a conqueror renaming a city. Isaiah 16:1 uses it geographically: 'send the lamb to the ruler of the land, from Sela through the wilderness.' The name means 'rock' or 'cliff,' fitting the region's dramatic geology. Whether the famous rose-red city or another Edomite stronghold, Sela represents Edom's mountain fastnesses—strategic heights thought impregnable.
Senses
1. sense 1 — The three references span historical conquest (2 Kings 14:7), tribal boundary (Judges 1:36), and prophetic geography (Isaiah 16:1). Amaziah's victory and renaming demonstrate Judahite expansion into Edomite territory. Isaiah's reference suggests Sela as a known diplomatic or trade location—a place from which tribute might be sent. Cross-linguistic renderings mostly transliterate (Sela), though Spanish once tries 'la-Roca' (the-Rock), recognizing the name's meaning. Greek versions consistently use 'petra,' connecting the name to stone. The site's identification remains debated, but its significance as a major Edomite stronghold is clear. 3×
AR["الصَّخْرِ", "مِنَ-الصَّخْرَةِ", "ٱلصَّخْرَةَ"]·ben["-সেলা-থেকে", "পাথরে", "শৈলটিকে"]·DE["[מסלע]", "[סלע]", "der-Sela"]·EN["Sela", "from-Sela", "the-Sela"]·FR["[מסלע]", "[סלע]", "le-Sela"]·heb["ה-סלע", "מ-סלע", "סלע"]·HI["चट्टान-पर", "सेला-से", "हस्सेला"]·ID["Sela", "dari-Sela"]·IT["[מסלע]", "[סלע]", "il-Sela"]·jav["Parang", "Séla", "saking-parang"]·KO["바위에", "셀라-를", "셀라-에서"]·PT["Sela", "a-Rocha", "de-Sela"]·RU["Селу", "Селы", "из-Селы"]·ES["Sela", "desde-Sela", "la-Roca"]·SW["Sela", "kutoka-Sela", "wa-mwamba"]·TR["Sela'-o", "kayadan-", "kayanin"]·urd["سلع-سے", "چٹان"]
Related Senses
H4325 1. water, waters (582×)H6965b 1. Qal: to rise, arise, get up (432×)H2091 1. gold (the metal) (389×)H0068 1. stone, rock (material/object) (267×)H5178a 1. bronze/copper as metal (131×)H6083 1. dust, dry earth, soil (108×)H8313 1. burn, set fire to (94×)H2734 1. anger was kindled (82×)G5204 1. water (80×)H2822 1. darkness, absence of light (80×)G5457 1. light (illumination) (71×)G0450 1. rise, stand up (physical) (69×)H6965b 2. Qal: to stand firm, endure, be valid (50×)H6999a 2. burn sacrifice on altar (Hifil) (45×)H5553 1. rock, cliff (physical feature) (43×)H6965b 4. Hifil: to establish, confirm (covenant/kingdom/word) (40×)H1197a 1. burn, be on fire (39×)H4306 1. rain, showers (38×)H1653 1. rain, precipitation (34×)G4655 1. darkness (30×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† II. סֶ֫לַע n.pr.loc. in Edom, מֵהַסּ׳ Ju 1:36 (del. מֵ, cf. GFM); הַסּ׳ captured in war 2 K 14:7 (and called יָקְתְאֵל); מִסּ׳ Is 16:1; site dub.; old identif. with Petra denied, plausibly, by BuhlEdom GFM Ju 1:36 (who thinks of an actual cliff), but held Benz 2 K 14:7 BdPal (1898), 206; 𝔊 (ἡ) πέτρα.