Location
Overview
Zorah, in the lowlands of Dan overlooking the Sorek valley, was the home of Samson's family and the place where his extraordinary life began and ended.
The promise of a deliverer
"There was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah," whose wife was barren. The angel of the LORD announced she would bear a son, a Nazirite, who "shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines" (Judges 13:2–5).
The Spirit stirs Samson
Samson grew, and "the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol" (Judges 13:25).
The burial of Samson
After his death pulling down the temple of Dagon, his family "brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father" (Judges 16:31).
Events Here
Samson’s birth is announced to Manoah of Zorah
Samson is buried between Zorah and Eshtaol
Scripture References
9 versesJoshua2 verses
Joshua 15:33
And in the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah,
Joshua 19:41
And the coast of their inheritance was Zorah, and Eshtaol, and Irshemesh,
Judges6 verses
Judges 13:2
And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not.
Judges 13:25
And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol. the camp: Heb. Mahanehdan
Judges 16:31
Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.
Judges 18:2
And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their coasts, men of valour, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it; and they said unto them, Go, search the land: who when they came to mount Ephraim, to the house of Micah, they lodged there. men of: Heb. sons of
Judges 18:8
And they came unto their brethren to Zorah and Eshtaol: and their brethren said unto them, What say ye?
Judges 18:11
And there went from thence of the family of the Danites, out of Zorah and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men appointed with weapons of war. appointed: Heb. girded
2 Chronicles1 verse
2 Chronicles 11:10
And Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin fenced cities.
Archaeology & History
Zorah is identified with the area of modern Tzora (Sar'a), on a height above the Sorek valley in the Shephelah. Its pairing with nearby Eshtaol frames the Samson narrative, marking the Danite borderland where Israel and Philistia met.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Zorah
Where is Zorah today?
Today, Zorah corresponds to Tzora, Israel.
What happened at Zorah in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Zorah include samson’s birth is announced to manoah of zorah; samson is buried between zorah and eshtaol.
Where is Zorah first mentioned in the Bible?
Zorah is first mentioned in Joshua 15:33.
How often is Zorah mentioned in the Bible?
Zorah is mentioned in 9 verses across 3 books: Joshua, Judges, 2 Chronicles.
Why is Zorah important?
It was the hometown of Samson — where the angel announced his birth to Manoah, where the Spirit first stirred him, and where he was buried.
Where is Zorah?
In the Shephelah (lowlands) overlooking the Sorek valley, at modern Tzora, near Beth-shemesh.