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SELA

(Heb. selaʿ)

A place name (“rock”) referring to several cities E of the Jordan River. It is most commonly associated with the Nabatean city Petra in the Wadi Mûsā, the name of which also means “rock.”

1. A site designating a portion of the Amorite border (Judg. 1:36). Although mentioned near the ascent of ʿAqrabim (“scorpions”), Sela may not necessarily be sought in Judah, but perhaps along the same latitude. The LXX reading “Edomites” may acknowledge the common border of Edom and Ammon. If so, it is possible to interpret this occurrence of Sela as a reference to an Edomite city, rather than Judahite or Amorite.

2. A fortified Edomite settlement conquered by King Amaziah of Judah and renamed Joktheel (2 Kgs. 14:7). It is traditionally identified with Umm el-Bayyârah, overlooking the Nabatean city of Petra, ca. 75 km. (46.5 mi.) S of the Dead Sea in Jordan. Failure to locate Edomite occupation earlier than the 7th century b.c.e. at Umm el-Bayyârah (192971) has prompted some to seek the site at modern es-Selaʿ (205020), which is slightly N of Buṣeira. The material culture unearthed at this location reflects 9th-7th century occupation and better satisfies the Bible’s chronological account.

3. A place mentioned in a woe-oracle against Moab (Isa. 16:1). The exact location of the site has yet to be determined. The description is minimal, so this Sela might be sought in either Moab or Edom.

4. A place named as one of a series of representative distant places (Isa. 42:11), perhaps the same as 2 above.

Bibliography. S. Hart, “Sela: The Rock of Edom?” PEQ 118 (1986): 91-95.

Ryan Byrne

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

SELA

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)