Lexical Definition
בֶּצֶר Betser (beh'-tser) Bezer N:N--L
the same as בֶּצֶר, an inaccessible spot
Bezer.
- § Bezer = "gold ore" or "remote fortress"
- Betser, a place in Palestine
- also an Israelite
n pr m
1) son of Zophah, one of the heads of the houses of Asher
n pr loc
2) a city of refuge in Reuben in the downs on the east of the Jordan
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| בֶּ֧צֶר | Bezer | Deut.4.43 • Josh.20.8 |
| בֶּ֥צֶר | Bezer | 1Chr.6.78 |
| בֶּ֖צֶר | Bezer | Josh.21.36 |
Extended Information
- Bezer = "gold ore" or "remote fortress"
- a city of refuge in Reuben in the downs on the east of the Jordan
- Also named: bots.rah (בׇּצְרָה "Bozrah" בׇּצְרָה)
Brown-Driver-Briggs
II. בֶּ֫צֶר (fortress) —
1. proper name, of a location city in Reuben (MI בצר) Deut 4:43; Josh 20:8; 1Chr 6:63*.
2. proper name, masculine person a descendant of Asher 1Chr 7:37.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Deuteronomy | 4:43 |
| Joshua | 20:8 |
| 1 Chronicles | 6:63* · 7:37 |
Profile
Bezer • Levitical city of refuge in Reuben
Bezer, also called Bozrah, was a Levitical city of refuge in the territory of Reuben.
Bezer, also known as Bozrah, was a city located in the region of Moab, east of the Dead Sea. It was allotted to the tribe of Reuben as part of their inheritance in the Transjordan (Joshua 20:8, 21:36; 1 Chronicles 6:78). Moses designated Bezer as one of the six cities of refuge, where a person who accidentally killed someone could flee for protection from avengers (Deuteronomy 4:43). The city was also given to the Levites of the clan of Merari (Joshua 21:36, 1 Chronicles 6:78).
The prophet Jeremiah mentioned Bozrah in his oracle against Moab, indicating that it was an important city in the region (Jeremiah 48:24). The name Bozrah means "sheepfold" or "fortress," suggesting that it may have been a fortified city or a center for sheep herding.
The exact location of Bezer is uncertain, but it was likely situated on the plateau east of the Dead Sea, within the territory of Reuben. It should not be confused with the Edomite city of Bozrah mentioned in other biblical passages (Genesis 36:33, Isaiah 34:6, 63:1, Amos 1:12).