Location
Overview
Sela — the Hebrew word means "rock" — was a stronghold of Edom set among the red sandstone cliffs south of the Dead Sea. The Greeks would later call such a rock-city Petra.
Captured by Amaziah
King Amaziah of Judah "slew of Edom in the valley of salt ten thousand, and took Selah by war, and called the name of it Joktheel" (2 Kings 14:7).
Edom's proud security
Edom trusted in its impregnable crags. Obadiah rebukes "thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock... that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?" — yet declares God will bring it down (Obadiah 3–4).
A signal to send tribute
Isaiah's oracle on Moab counsels sending tribute lambs "from Sela to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion" (Isaiah 16:1).
Events Here
Amaziah captures Sela and renames it Joktheel
Scripture References
2 verses2 Kings1 verse
2 Kings 14:7
He slew of Edom in the valley of salt ten thousand, and took Selah by war, and called the name of it Joktheel unto this day. Selah: or, the rock
Isaiah1 verse
Isaiah 16:1
Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion. Sela: or, Petra: Heb. A rock
Archaeology & History
Sela is associated with the rugged rock country of Edom around Petra in southern Jordan — the spectacular city later carved into rose-red cliffs by the Nabataeans, whose very name (Petra) means "rock," echoing the Hebrew Sela. Edom's near-impregnable highland strongholds lie behind the prophets' rebukes of its pride.
Frequently asked about Sela (Edom)
Where is Sela (Edom) today?
Today, Sela (Edom) corresponds to Petra region, Jordan.
What does the name Sela (Edom) mean?
The name Sela (Edom) means “Rock (Greek: Petra)”.
What happened at Sela (Edom) in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Sela (Edom) include amaziah captures sela and renames it joktheel.
Where is Sela (Edom) first mentioned in the Bible?
Sela (Edom) is first mentioned in 2 Kings 14:7.
How often is Sela (Edom) mentioned in the Bible?
Sela (Edom) is mentioned in 2 verses across 2 books: 2 Kings, Isaiah.
Is Sela the same as Petra?
Sela means "rock" in Hebrew, and Petra means "rock" in Greek; the biblical rock-fortress of Edom is traditionally connected with the area of Petra in southern Jordan, though the later Nabataean city is distinct.
What happened at Sela?
King Amaziah of Judah captured the Edomite stronghold of Sela and renamed it Joktheel (2 Kings 14:7); the prophets also rebuke Edom’s pride in its rock-fortresses.