Uzzen-sheerah
Uzzen-sheerah is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Judea in modern-day Israel. Known today as Beit Ur al Tahta. It appears across 1 verse in Scripture.
Biblical History
Uzzen-sheerah is mentioned only once in Scripture, in 1 Chronicles 7:24, as one of three towns built by a woman named Sheerah, a daughter of Ephraim (or of Beriah, Ephraim's son). The verse records that Sheerah built Lower Beth-horon, Upper Beth-horon, and Uzzen-sheerah, with the town's very name enshrining her memory — Uzzen-sheerah meaning literally "portion of Sheerah" or "ear of Sheerah." This makes Sheerah one of the most remarkable figures in the genealogical lists of Chronicles, a woman credited with founding and constructing significant towns in the tribal territory of Ephraim. Lower Beth-horon, the companion town to Upper Beth-horon mentioned alongside Uzzen-sheerah, guarded the western descent from the central hill country and was militarily significant. Uzzen-sheerah thus takes its place among the towns that defined Ephraim's settlement in Canaan, memorializing a woman builder whose work shaped the physical landscape of the promised land. The Chronicles passage reminds readers that the history of Israel was built by men and women alike, whose names — even when recorded only briefly — are preserved in the biblical narrative.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Uzzen-sheerah is tentatively identified with the site of Beit Ur al-Tahta, corresponding to Lower Beth-horon in the Judean hill country northwest of Jerusalem. The identification is based on the town's association with the Beth-horon pair in 1 Chronicles 7:24. Some scholars propose a nearby but distinct site, as the name Uzzen-sheerah does not directly correspond to any known modern toponym. Beit Ur al-Tahta has not been subject to major systematic excavation, though surface surveys indicate ancient occupation. The Beth-horon ridge has been studied archaeologically in relation to the famous Joshua 10 battle site, with the general topography well-documented even where specific sites remain uncertain.
Verse Appearances (1)
1Chr
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →