Protos

Where is Sela in the Bible?

Sela meaning "rock" in Hebrew, was an Edomite stronghold located in the mountainous region of Seir. It is also referred to as Joktheel, a name given to it by King Amaziah of Judah after he captured it (2Ki. 14:7; 2Chr. 25:12). Sela appears in 4 verses across 3 books of the Bible.

What happened at Sela?

Sela, meaning "rock" in Hebrew, was an Edomite stronghold located in the mountainous region of Seir. It is also referred to as Joktheel, a name given to it by King Amaziah of Judah after he captured it (2Ki. 14:7; 2Chr. 25:12). Sela is mentioned in several biblical passages, often in the context of God's judgment against Edom (Isa. 16:1; 42:11). The city was known for its strategic location and natural defenses, as it was situated in a valley surrounded by steep cliffs. Sela is believed to be the ancient name for the city of Petra, the capital of the Nabataean kingdom, which was carved into the rock faces of the surrounding mountains. The Nabataeans, who inhabited the area after the Edomites, further developed the city and its impressive rock-cut architecture. Today, the ruins of Petra are a popular tourist destination and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Jordan.

Definition text: STEPBible · Tyndale House Cambridge. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Lightly edited for length and formatting.

Compiled by Protos: the verse list on this page. Where one name belongs to more than one person or place, each of them gets a separate entry.

Where does Sela appear in the Bible?

Sela is referenced in 4 verses across 3 books. Every passage below is about this one, not just every verse the word turns up in.

Isaiah 22 Kings 1Judges 1

What else appears in these passages?

These turn up in the same passages as Sela.

SaltDaughterZionCitiesKedarAmorites

Common questions

How many times does the Bible mention Sela?

Sela appears in 4 verses across 3 books, most often in Isaiah, which accounts for 2 of them.

Which books of the Bible mention Sela?

Isaiah, 2 Kings, Judges.

Where can I read every verse about Sela?

This page lists 4 of them. Protos carries all 4, and opens this entry on the verse you are reading rather than in a separate tab.

Read it in context

Read Isaiah with Sela explained on the verse.

Tap any name, place, or word you do not recognize and the background opens on the verse you are reading. No second tab, no search, no losing your place.

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