Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

JAZER

(Heb. yaʿăzêr, yaʿăzēr)

An Amorite town in central Transjordan conquered by the Israelites under Moses (Num. 21:32) and then allotted to the tribe of Gad (Josh. 13:25; Num. 32:34-35; 2 Sam. 24:5). The city was then assigned to the Merarite Levites (Josh. 21:39; 1 Chr. 6:81). The territory around Jazer was noted as suitable for grazing (Num. 32:1, 3-4) and wine production (Isa. 16:8-9; Jer. 48:32). During the 8th and 7th centuries the town apparently fell under Moabite jurisdiction (Isa. 16:8-9, 11).

The modern identity of Jazer is uncertain. Eusebius (Onom. 12.1-4) locates Jazer at the source of a large stream, 10 Roman mi. (15 km. [9 mi.]) W of Rabbath Ammon and 15 Roman mi. (24 km. [15 mi.]) from Esbus (Hesban). Five sites in this general vicinity have been proposed as Jazer. Khirbet eṣ-Òar (228150), 9 km. (5.6 mi.) W of Amman and 1.5 km. (ca. 1 mi.) SE of {Ain eṣ-Òir, possesses extensive Iron Age sherds, but there is no other reason to identify it with Jazer. Yahuz (237159), 10 km. (6 mi.) N of Amman; Kom Yahuz (238160), near Yahuz; and Khirbet eṣ-Òireh, ca. 12.5 km. (8 mi.) W of Amman, have no evidence of Iron Age occupation. Khirbet Jazzir (219156), whose name reflects that of the ancient site, is near the location that Eusebius gives for Jazer (Azōr; Onom. 12.1-4) and is probably the best candidate for identification with the ancient town.

Randall W. Younker

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

JAZER

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)