Zorah

Zorah is a town of significant historical and biblical importance, located in the territory of the tribe of Dan, near the border with Judah. It is situated in the Shephelah, the lowland region of ancient Israel. Zorah is most notably recognized as the birthplace of Samson, one of the judges of Israel, who was renowned for his extraordinary strength and his Nazirite vow.

The town is first mentioned in the context of the allotment of land to the tribe of Dan. In Joshua 19:41, the Berean Standard Bible states, "The territory of their inheritance included Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir-shemesh." This indicates its inclusion in the Danite inheritance, although the tribe struggled to fully possess the land due to the presence of the Philistines.

Zorah's association with Samson is highlighted in Judges 13:2, where it is recorded, "Now there was a man from Zorah named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, whose wife was barren and had no children." The angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah's wife in Zorah, announcing the birth of Samson and instructing her on the Nazirite vow that Samson was to follow.

The town also appears in the narrative of Samson's exploits. Judges 13:25 notes, "And the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him while he was in Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol." This indicates that Zorah was a central location in Samson's early life and the beginning of his judgeship.

Eshtaol

Eshtaol is another town in the territory of Dan, frequently mentioned alongside Zorah. It is located in close proximity to Zorah, and together they form a significant pair in the biblical narrative, particularly in the account of Samson.

Eshtaol is first mentioned in the context of the Danite inheritance in Joshua 19:41, alongside Zorah. The town's proximity to Zorah is emphasized in the account of Samson's life. Judges 13:25, as previously mentioned, places Eshtaol in the region where the Spirit of the Lord began to move Samson.

The town is also significant in the account of the Danites' migration to the north. In Judges 18:2, the BSB records, "So the Danites sent out five of their leading men from Zorah and Eshtaol to spy out the land and explore it." This expedition led to the eventual relocation of a portion of the tribe to Laish, which they renamed Dan.

Eshtaol, like Zorah, is associated with the burial of Samson. Judges 16:31 states, "Then his brothers and his father’s whole family went down, carried him back, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah." This indicates the continued significance of Eshtaol as a familial and tribal center for the Danites.

In summary, Zorah and Eshtaol are closely linked towns within the territory of Dan, playing a pivotal role in the narrative of Samson and the history of the Danite tribe. Their mention in various biblical accounts underscores their importance in the cultural and religious landscape of ancient Israel.