Etymology and Meaning:
The name "Tirzah" is derived from a Hebrew root meaning "delight" or "pleasantness." This name is fitting given the historical and biblical significance of the city and its associations.

Biblical References:
Tirzah is first mentioned in the Bible in the context of the conquest of Canaan. In Joshua 12:24, it is listed among the cities whose kings were defeated by Joshua: "the king of Tirzah, one; in all, thirty-one kings." This indicates its status as a significant city-state during the period of the Israelite conquest.

Tirzah gains prominence in the narrative of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. It became the capital of the Northern Kingdom during the reign of Jeroboam I, the first king of Israel after the division of the united monarchy. The city served as the capital until the reign of Omri, who moved the capital to Samaria (1 Kings 16:23-24).

The city is also mentioned in the context of the reign of Baasha, who conspired against Nadab, the son of Jeroboam, and killed him at Gibbethon. Baasha then reigned in Tirzah (1 Kings 15:33). The city continued to be a royal residence, as seen in the account of Zimri, who, after assassinating Elah, the son of Baasha, reigned in Tirzah for a brief period of seven days before committing suicide by setting the king's house on fire (1 Kings 16:15-18).

In the Song of Solomon, Tirzah is mentioned in a poetic context, highlighting its beauty: "You are as beautiful, my darling, as Tirzah, as lovely as Jerusalem, as majestic as troops with banners" (Song of Solomon 6:4). This reference underscores the city's reputation for beauty and splendor.

Historical and Archaeological Insights:
Tirzah's exact location has been a subject of debate, but it is generally identified with the archaeological site of Tell el-Far'ah (North), located in the central region of modern-day Israel. Excavations have revealed significant remains from the Bronze and Iron Ages, supporting its identification as a major Canaanite and later Israelite city.

The city's strategic location and fertile surroundings contributed to its importance in the ancient Near East. Its role as a capital city during the early years of the Northern Kingdom highlights its political and administrative significance.

Theological Significance:
Tirzah's role in the biblical narrative serves as a reminder of the tumultuous history of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The frequent changes in leadership and the eventual downfall of the city reflect the broader themes of disobedience and divine judgment that characterize the history of the Northern Kingdom.

The mention of Tirzah in the Song of Solomon also provides a glimpse into the cultural and aesthetic values of ancient Israel, where cities were often personified and celebrated for their beauty and grandeur.

Conclusion:
Tirzah's biblical and historical significance is multifaceted, encompassing its role as a royal city, its association with the early monarchy of Israel, and its enduring legacy as a symbol of beauty. Its account is interwoven with the broader narrative of Israel's history, serving as a testament to the complexities and challenges faced by the Northern Kingdom.Tirzah

benevolent; complaisant; pleasing

Tirzah

(delight), youngest of the five daughters of Zelophehad. (Numbers 26:33; 27:1; 36:11; Joshua 17:3) (B.C. 1450.)

Tirzah

Pleasant, So 6:4, a city of the Canaanites, Joshua 12:24, and afterwards of the tribe of Manasseh or Ephraism; and the royal seat of the kings of Israel from the time of Jeroboam to the reign of Omri, who built the city of Samaria, which then became the capital of this kingdom, 1 Kings 15:21,33 16:6,23 2 Kings 15:14,16. Its exact location is unknown.

TIRZAH

tur'-za (tirtsah; Thersa):

(1) A royal city of the Canaanites, the king of which was slain by Joshua (12:24). It superseded Shechem as capital of the Northern Kingdom (1 Kings 14:17, etc.), and itself gave place in turn to Samaria. Here reigned Jeroboam, Nadab his son, Baasha, Elah and Zimri (1 Kings 15:21, 33; 1 Kings 16:6, 8, 9, 15). Baasha was buried in Tirzah. Here Elah was assassinated while "drinking himself drunk" in the house of his steward; here therefore probably he was buried. Zimri perished in the flames of his palace, rather than fall into Omri's hands. In Tirzah Menahem matured his rebellion against Shallum (2 Kings 15:14). The place is mentioned in Songs 6:4 the King James Version, where the Shulammite is said to be "beautiful.... as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem." The comparison may be due to the charm of its situation. The name may possibly be derived from ratsah, "to delight." Several identifications have been suggested. Buhl (Geographic des alten Palestina, 203) favors et-tireh, on the West of the plain of Makhneh, 4 miles South of Nablus, which he identifies with the Tira-thana of Josephus. He quotes Neubauer to the effect that the later Jews said Tir`an or Tar`ita instead of Tirzah, as weakening the claim of Telluzah, which others (e.g. Robinson, BR, III, 302) incline to. It is a partly ruined village with no spring, but with ancient cisterns, on a hill about 4 miles East of North from Nablus. This was evidently the place intended by Brocardius-Thersa, about 3 miles East of Samaria (Descriptio, VII). A third claimant is Teiasir, a fortress at the point where the road from Abel-meholah joins that from Shechem to Bethshan, fully 11 miles Northeast of Nablus. It is impossible to decide with certainty. The heavy "T" in Telluzah is a difficulty. Teiasir is perhaps too far from Shechem. Buhl's case for identification with eT-Tireh is subject to the same difficulty as Telluzah.

(2) One of the five daughters of Zelophehad (Numbers 26:33; Numbers 27:1; Numbers 36:11 Joshua 17:3).

W. Ewing

8645. tirzah -- (a tree) perhaps cypress
... 8644, 8645. tirzah. 8646 . (a tree) perhaps cypress. Transliteration: tirzah
Phonetic Spelling: (teer-zaw') Short Definition: cypress. ... tirzah. 8646 . ...
/hebrew/8645.htm - 6k

8656. Tirtsah -- daughter of Zelophehad, also a Canaanite city
... Tirtsah. 8657 . daughter of Zelophehad, also a Canaanite city. Transliteration:
Tirtsah Phonetic Spelling: (teer-tsaw') Short Definition: Tirzah. ... Tirzah. ...
/hebrew/8656.htm - 6k

How Zerah, King of the Ethiopians, was Beaten by Asa; and How Asa ...
... He dwelt in the city Tirzah, having made that his habitation, and reigned
twenty-four years. He became more wicked and impious than Jeroboam or his son. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how zerah king.htm

Canticles 4:12 the Lord's Garden.
... and feel themselves miserable sinners; yet Jesus says, "Thou art all fair,"-sweet
is thy voice,"thy countenance is comely,"beautiful as Tirzah, comely as ...
/.../chapter xv canticles 4 12 the.htm

The Church as She Should Be
... Newington. "Thou art beautiful, O my love as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem,
terrible as an army with banners.""Song of Solomon 6:4. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the church as she should.htm

The Record of Two Kings
... 'In the thirty and first year of Asa king of Judah began Omri to reign over
Israel, twelve years: six years reigned he in Tirzah.24. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the record of two kings.htm

Chapter vi.
... and to gather lilies.1. 3. I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth
among the lilies.2. 4. Thou art beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/chapter vi.htm

How Zachariah Shallum, Menahem Pekahiah and Pekah Took the ...
... took the kingdom afterward, but kept it no longer than thirty days; for Menahem,
the general of his army, who was at that time in the city Tirzah, and heard of ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how zachariah shallum.htm

Other Passages from the Song of Songs are Considered with Relation ...
... "Thou art beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem." [3212] So it is
not the beauty of the perishable body, which will come to an end with sickness ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter ix other passages from.htm

The Divided Kingdom.
... (1) The establishment of idol worship at Dan and Bethel. (2) The removal of
the Capital, by Omri, from Tirzah to the hill site of Samaria. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xiii the divided kingdom.htm

Fragrant Spices from the Mountains of Myrrh. "Thou Art all Fair ...
... His increased delight. "Thou art beautiful, O My love, as Tirzah, comely
as Jerusalem, terrible as an army with banners. Turn away ...
/.../spurgeon/till he come/fragrant spices from the mountains.htm

Song of Songs
... The mention of Israel's ancient capital Tirzah in vi.4 (if the text be correct)
as a parallel to Jerusalem, would alone be enough to bring the date below ...
/.../mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/song of songs.htm

Tirzah (17 Occurrences)
...TIRZAH. tur'-za (tirtsah; Thersa): (1) A royal city of the Canaanites, the king
of which was slain by Joshua (12:24). ... Baasha was buried in Tirzah. ...
/t/tirzah.htm - 14k

Baasha (26 Occurrences)
... The city of Tirzah he made the capital of his kingdom, and there he was buried,
after an eventful reign of twenty-four years (1 Kings 15:33). ...
/b/baasha.htm - 16k

Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)
... 26:33 Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of
the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. ...
/z/zelophehad.htm - 11k

Tiphsah (2 Occurrences)
... This expedition implied a march of some 300 miles from Tirzah if by way of Tadmor,
and about 400 if by way of Aleppo; and its success showed the strength of ...
/t/tiphsah.htm - 9k

Mahlah (5 Occurrences)
... 26:33 Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of
the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. ...
/m/mahlah.htm - 9k

Milcah (10 Occurrences)
... 26:33 Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of
the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. ...
/m/milcah.htm - 10k

Baasa (26 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). 1 Kings 15:21 And it came to pass, when Baasha heard thereof, that
he left off building Ramah, and dwelt in Tirzah. (See JPS). ...
/b/baasa.htm - 13k

Ba'asha (26 Occurrences)
... See RSV). 1 Kings 15:21 It happened, when Baasha heard of it, that he left
off building Ramah, and lived in Tirzah. (See RSV). 1 Kings ...
/b/ba'asha.htm - 13k

Zimri (16 Occurrences)
... (2.) Murdered Elah at Tirzah, and succeeded him on the throne of Israel
(1 Kings 16:8-10). He reigned only seven days, for Omri, whom ...
/z/zimri.htm - 18k

Menahem (8 Occurrences)
... Menahem was probably the officer in charge of the royal troops in Tirzah, one of
the king's residences, at the time of the murder of Zechariah by Shallum. ...
/m/menahem.htm - 13k

Who/what was Tirzah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the daughters of Zelophehad? | GotQuestions.org

Who was King Omri in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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