Zela is a town mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the tribal allotments of Benjamin. It holds historical and theological significance due to its association with the burial of King Saul and his family.

Biblical References:

1. Joshua 18:28 · Zela is listed among the cities in the territory of the tribe of Benjamin. The verse states: "Zela, Haeleph, Jebus (that is, Jerusalem), Gibeah, and Kiriath-jearim—fourteen cities, along with their villages. This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Benjamin."

2. 2 Samuel 21:14 · Zela gains prominence as the burial site of King Saul and his son Jonathan. After the Gibeonites executed Saul's descendants to atone for Saul's breach of covenant, David retrieved the bones of Saul and Jonathan. The verse records: "They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the land of Benjamin, in Zela, in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish. After they had done everything the king commanded, God answered their prayers for the land."

Historical and Theological Significance:

· Tribal Inheritance: Zela's inclusion in the list of cities within Benjamin's territory underscores its role in the tribal organization of Israel. As part of Benjamin's inheritance, Zela was integral to the identity and heritage of the tribe.

· Burial Site of Saul and Jonathan: The burial of Saul and Jonathan in Zela is a significant event, reflecting the restoration of honor to Saul's family after the tragic events that led to their deaths. This act by King David not only fulfilled a duty of respect towards the former king but also served to unify the nation by honoring the fallen leaders.

· Covenantal Themes: The events surrounding Zela highlight themes of covenant and justice. Saul's breach of covenant with the Gibeonites led to a famine, and the subsequent actions taken by David to rectify this breach demonstrate the importance of covenant faithfulness in Israel's relationship with God and with other peoples.

· Archaeological Considerations: While the exact location of Zela is not definitively identified in modern times, it is traditionally associated with a site near present-day Jerusalem. Archaeological efforts continue to explore and identify ancient sites corresponding to biblical locations, contributing to our understanding of Israel's historical geography.

Zela's mention in the biblical narrative, though brief, is rich with implications for understanding Israel's history, the importance of tribal territories, and the theological themes of covenant and restoration.ZELA, ZELAH

ze'-la (tsela` (2 Samuel 21:14)): A city in the territory of Benjamin (Joshua 18:28; the Septuagint here omits). Here was the burying-place of the family of Saul, whither the bones of the king and of Jonathan were brought for burial (2 Samuel 21:14; the Septuagint here reads en te pleura, translating tsela`, "side"). The place is not identified. It may be the Zilu of the Tell el-Amarna Letters.

6762. Tsela -- a place in Benjamin
... 6761, 6762. Tsela. 6763 . a place in Benjamin. Transliteration: Tsela
Phonetic Spelling: (tseh'-lah) Short Definition: Zela. Word ...
/hebrew/6762.htm - 6k

Letter ccxxvi. To the Ascetics under Him.
... [2917] Why have they comparatively recently [2918] attacked the churches of Amasea
and Zela and appointed presbyters and deacons there themselves? ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter ccxxvi to the ascetics.htm

Letter ccli. To the People of Ev??s??.
... of the world. My creed has not varied at Seleucia, at Constantinople, at
Zela, [3109] at Lampsacus, and at Rome. My present creed ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter ccli to the people.htm

The Absurdity and Shamefulness of the Images by which the Gods are ...
... Salamis relates. And why mention Nicagorus? He was a native of Zela [in
Pontus], and lived in the days of Alexander. Nicagorus was ...
/.../exhortation to the heathen/chapter iv the absurdity and shamefulness.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... overtook him. After some partial successes, such as that near Zela, for
instance, he was defeated and made prisoner by Madyes. His ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Zela (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ZELA, ZELAH. ... It may be the Zilu of the Tell
el-Amarna Letters. Multi-Version Concordance Zela (2 Occurrences). ...
/z/zela.htm - 7k

Zelah (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ZELA, ZELAH. ze'-la (tsela` (2 Samuel 21:14)):
A city in the territory of Benjamin (Joshua 18:28; the Septuagint here omits). ...
/z/zelah.htm - 8k

Kish (18 Occurrences)
... is also mentioned as the father of Saul, and again in 2 Samuel 21:14, we are told
that the sepulcher of Kish was located in the country of Benjamin, in Zela. ...
/k/kish.htm - 15k

Zeker (1 Occurrence)

/z/zeker.htm - 6k

Zelzah (1 Occurrence)
... Smith ("Samuel," ICC, at the place) suggests that we should read "Zela" for "Zelzah"
(tsela`, for tseltsach). W. Ewing. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/z/zelzah.htm - 7k

Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Joshua 18:28 and Zela, Eleph, and the Jebusite--the same is Jerusalem,
Gibeath, and Kiriath; fourteen cities with their villages. ...
/k/kir'iath-je'arim.htm - 11k

Unwalled (39 Occurrences)
... Joshua 18:28 And Zela, Eleph and the Jebusite (which is Jerusalem), Gibeath
and Kiriath; fourteen towns with their unwalled places. ...
/u/unwalled.htm - 17k

Gib'e-ah (45 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Joshua 18:28 and Zela, Eleph, and the Jebusite--the same is Jerusalem,
Gibeath, and Kiriath; fourteen cities with their villages. ...
/g/gib'e-ah.htm - 19k

Propitious (12 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 21:14 And they buried them with the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son
in the country of Benjamin in Zela, in the sepulchre of Kish his father; and ...
/p/propitious.htm - 11k

Supplications (32 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 21:14 They buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country
of Benjamin in Zela, in the tomb of Kish his father: and they performed all ...
/s/supplications.htm - 16k

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