בׇּצְרָה
𐤁𐤑𐤓𐤄
Batserah
H1224 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Botsrah (בׇּצְרָה) is a proper noun referring to a city within the territory of Edom, notable as a prominent and fortified Edomite urban center. In some contexts, it is the name of locations associated with Edomite strength and security, and occasionally used as a poetic symbol of Edom's power or pride. The word is distinct from the common noun forms derived from the same root.
Semantic Range
proper noun – Botsrah (primary city of Edom); city name in Moab (less frequently); symbol of strength, fortification, or pride (in prophetic and poetic literature); rarely—by association—fortified enclosure or stronghold
Root / Etymology
Derived from the Hebrew root בצר (b-tz-r), which means 'to cut off, make inaccessible, fortify, enclose.' The form בׇּצְרָה appears as a feminine proper noun, likely signifying 'enclosure,' 'fortress,' or 'stronghold' due to the characteristics of the city. In its original usage, the name could reflect the city's physical or strategic nature.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, Botsrah is most frequently referenced as a major city in Edom (e.g., Genesis 36:33; Isaiah 34:6; Jeremiah 49:13,22; Amos 1:12), occasionally cited in oracles or prophecies concerning Edom's fate. The city's location and role as a fortified center are reflected in its etymological connection to strength or isolation. In post-biblical literature, the term came to symbolize Edomite opposition or judgment. Botsrah is also mentioned in the context of Edom's kingship and is associated with royal lineage (Genesis 36:33). A different Botsrah is referenced as a city in Moab (Jeremiah 48:24), which may or may not share the same etymological background or significance. English translations have sometimes rendered it as 'Bozrah,' following later transliteration traditions; however, this does not adequately convey the place’s geographical and historical significance.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
the same as בׇּצְרָה; Botsrah, a place in Edom; Bozrah.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
בצר (b-ts-r) — cut off, make inaccessible, fortify, enclose
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1208 | בָּצוֹר | the fortified one |
| H1210 | בָּצִיר | grape harvest |
| H1219 | בָּצַר | made-inaccessible |
| H1220 | בֶּצֶר | extracted gold |
| H1221 | בֶּצֶר | Fortified-Place |
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1224-03 |
מִ/בָּצְרָֽה | mibatserah | HR/Np |
from Bozrah | from Botsrah | 3 |
H1224-01 |
בָּצְרָ֑ה | batserah | HNp |
Bozrah | Botsrah (Fortress-Enclosure) | 3 |
H1224-02 |
בְּ/בָצְרָ֔ה | bevatserah | HR/Np |
in-Bozrah | in Botsrah | 1 |
H1224-04 |
בָצְרָ֑ה | vatserah | HNp |
Bozrah | Botsrah | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
8 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1224-03 |
Genesis 36:33 | מִ/בָּצְרָֽה | mibatserah | HR/Np |
of Bozrah | from Botsrah |
H1224-02 |
Isaiah 34:6 | בְּ/בָצְרָ֔ה | bevatserah | HR/Np |
in-Bozrah | in Botsrah |
H1224-03 |
Isaiah 63:1 | מִ/בָּצְרָ֔ה | mibatserah | HR/Np |
from Bozrah | from Botsrah |
H1224-01 |
Jeremiah 48:24 | בָּצְרָ֑ה | batserah | HNp |
Bozrah | Botsrah (Fortress-Enclosure) |
H1224-04 |
Jeremiah 49:13 | בָצְרָ֑ה | vatserah | HNp |
Bozrah | Botsrah |
H1224-01 |
Jeremiah 49:22 | בָּצְרָ֑ה | batserah | HNp |
Bozrah | Botsrah (Fortress-Enclosure) |
H1224-01 |
Amos 1:12 | בָּצְרָֽה | batserah | HNp |
of-Bozrah | Botsrah (Fortress-Enclosure) |
H1224-03 |
1 Chronicles 1:44 | מִ/בָּצְרָֽה | mibatserah | HR/Np |
from Bozrah | from Botsrah |