Zereth-shahar
Zereth-shahar is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Judea in modern-day Israel. Known today as Callirrhoe. It appears across 1 verse in Scripture.
Biblical History
Zereth-shahar appears only once in Scripture, in Joshua 13:19, where it is listed among the cities assigned to the tribe of Reuben in the territory east of the Jordan River. The name itself means "the splendor of the dawn" in Hebrew, a poetic designation that likely reflects a geographical or natural feature of the site. It is grouped with other Transjordanian settlements including Kiriathaim, Sibmah, and Beth-peor in the Mosaic tribal allotments. Reuben's territory lay along the eastern shore of the Dead Sea and the plateau above it, a region that had once been the domain of the Moabites. The distribution of these cities in Joshua 13 represents the fulfillment of Moses' earlier allotments as recorded in Numbers, underscoring the systematic organization of the land under Joshua's leadership. Though Zereth-shahar itself plays no further role in the biblical narrative, its inclusion in the tribal list reflects the careful geographical memory that the compilers of Joshua preserved regarding the settlement of Israel in Canaan.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Zereth-shahar is traditionally identified with Callirrhoe, a site on the eastern shore of the Dead Sea near the mouth of Wadi Zarqa Main, known for its hot springs. Callirrhoe gained fame in antiquity as a therapeutic site visited by Herod the Great during his final illness, as recorded by Josephus. The thermal springs attracted settlement and visitors throughout antiquity. Archaeological surveys in the region have noted remains from various periods, though systematic excavation at the precise location identified with Zereth-shahar has been limited. The hot springs and dramatic landscape of the area are consistent with the poetic meaning of the name, suggesting a memorable natural landmark.
Verse Appearances (1)
Josh
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →