Zoheleth, also known as the "Serpent's Stone," is a significant location mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the context of the events surrounding the succession of King David. The name "Zoheleth" is derived from a Hebrew root meaning "to crawl" or "to slither," which is why it is often associated with a serpent or snake. This site is primarily noted in the narrative of Adonijah's attempt to usurp the throne of Israel.

Biblical Reference:

The primary reference to Zoheleth is found in 1 Kings 1:9. The passage describes how Adonijah, the son of King David and Haggith, sought to establish himself as king while David was still alive. To solidify his claim, Adonijah held a sacrificial feast at the stone of Zoheleth:

"Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened cattle near the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En-rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah who were royal officials." (1 Kings 1:9)

Geographical Context:

Zoheleth is located near En-rogel, a well-known spring situated on the boundary between the tribal territories of Judah and Benjamin, near Jerusalem. The proximity to En-rogel suggests that Zoheleth was a notable landmark, possibly a large rock or stone formation, that served as a gathering place for significant events.

Historical and Theological Significance:

The event at Zoheleth is pivotal in the narrative of Israel's monarchy. Adonijah's actions at this site underscore the political tension and intrigue during the final days of King David's reign. By choosing Zoheleth as the location for his feast, Adonijah was making a public declaration of his intent to become king, attempting to rally support from influential figures within the kingdom.

However, Adonijah's plans were thwarted by the intervention of the prophet Nathan and Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, who informed King David of the situation. David then took decisive action to anoint Solomon as his successor, ensuring the continuation of the Davidic line through Solomon, as ordained by God.

Theologically, the events at Zoheleth highlight themes of divine sovereignty and the fulfillment of God's promises. Despite human attempts to alter the course of God's plan, the rightful heir, Solomon, ascended to the throne, fulfilling the divine covenant with David that his lineage would endure.

Cultural and Symbolic Interpretations:

In Jewish and Christian traditions, Zoheleth may symbolize the challenges and opposition faced by God's chosen leaders. The stone's association with a serpent could also evoke imagery of deception and rebellion, reminiscent of the serpent in the Garden of Eden. This symbolism serves as a reminder of the spiritual battles that accompany the unfolding of God's purposes in history.

Overall, Zoheleth stands as a testament to the complex interplay of human ambition and divine will, a recurring theme throughout the biblical narrative.Zoheleth

that creeps, slides, or draws

Zoheleth

(serpent), The stone, This was "by En-rogel," (1 Kings 1:9) and therefore, if En-rogel be the modern Um-ed-Deraj , this stone, "where Adonijah slew sheep and oxen," was in all likelihood not far from the well of the Virgin.

Zoheleth

A large rock near the well En-rogel, in the valley adjoining Jerusalem on the south-east, where the adherents of Adonijah assembled in rebellion, 1 Kings 1:9.

The serpent-stone, a rocky plateau near the centre of the village of Siloam, and near the fountain of En-rogel, to which the women of the village resort for water (1 Kings 1:5-9). Here Adonijah (q.v.) feasted all the royal princess except Solomon and the men who took part with him in his effort to succeed to the throne. While they were assembled here Solomon was proclaimed king, through the intervention of Nathan. On hearing this, adonijah fled and took refuge in the sanctuary (1 Kings 1:49-53). He was afterwards pardoned.

Zoheleth projects into or slightly over-hangs the Kidron valley. It is now called ez-Zehwell or Zahweileh.

ZOHELETH, THE STONE OF

zo'-he-leth, ('ebhen ha-zacheleth, "serpent's stone"): "And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En-rogel" (1 Kings 1:9). Evidently this was a sacred stone-probably a matstsbhah such as marked a Canaanite sanctuary. A source of "living water" has always in the Semitic world been a sacred place; even today at most such places, e.g. at Bir Eyyub, the modern representative of En-rogel, there is a michrab and a platform for prayer. The stone has disappeared, but it is thought that an echo of the name survives in ez-Zechweleh, the name of a rocky outcrop in the village of Siloam. Because the name is particularly associated with an ascent taken by the woman coming from the Virgin's Fount, to which it is adjacent, some authorities have argued that this, the Virgin's Fount, must be En-rogel; on this see EN-ROGEL; GIHON. Against this view, as far as ez-Zechweleh is concerned, we may note:

(1) It is by no means certain that the modern Arabic name-which is used for similar rocky spots in other places-is really derived from the Hebrew;

(2) the name is now applied to quite different objects, in the Hebrew to a stone, in the Arabic to a rocky outcrop;

(3) the name is not confined to this outcrop near the Virgin's Fount alone, but applies, according to at least some of the fellahin of Siloam, to the ridge along the whole village site; and

(4) even if all the above were disproved, names are so frequently transferred from one locality to another in Palestine that no argument can be based on a name alone.

E. W. G. Masterman

2120. zocheleth -- a crawling thing, serpent
... zocheleth. 2121 . a crawling thing, serpent. Transliteration: zocheleth Phonetic
Spelling: (zo-kheh'-leth) Short Definition: Zoheleth. Word Origin fem. ... Zoheleth ...
/hebrew/2120.htm - 6k

In the Last, the Great Day of the Feast'
... or En-Rogel), that Solomon was proclaimed, [4001] while the opposite faction held
revel, and would have made Adonijah king, on the cliff Zoheleth (the modern ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii in the last.htm

Zoheleth (1 Occurrence)
... He was afterwards pardoned. Zoheleth projects into or slightly over-hangs the Kidron
valley. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ZOHELETH, THE STONE OF. ...
/z/zoheleth.htm - 9k

Enrogel (4 Occurrences)
... Jonathan and Ahimaaz, hid themselves (2 Samuel 17:17), and here (1 Kings 1:9) "Adonijah
slew sheep and oxen and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth, which is ...
/e/enrogel.htm - 15k

En-rogel (4 Occurrences)
... Jonathan and Ahimaaz, hid themselves (2 Samuel 17:17), and here (1 Kings 1:9) "Adonijah
slew sheep and oxen and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth, which is ...
/e/en-rogel.htm - 15k

Zohar (5 Occurrences)

/z/zohar.htm - 9k

Stone (290 Occurrences)
... Alfred Ely Day. ZOHELETH, THE STONE OF. zo'-he-leth, ('ebhen ha-zacheleth,
"serpent's stone"): "And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and ...
/s/stone.htm - 54k

Zoheth (1 Occurrence)

/z/zoheth.htm - 7k

Fattened (19 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 1:9 And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth,
which is beside En-rogel; and he called all his brethren the king's sons ...
/f/fattened.htm - 12k

Fatlings (12 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 1:9 Adonijah killed sheep and cattle and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth,
which is beside En Rogel; and he called all his brothers, the king's sons ...
/f/fatlings.htm - 10k

Fatted (17 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 1:9 And Adonijah sacrificed sheep and oxen and fatted cattle by the stone
of Zoheleth, which is by En-rogel, and invited all his brethren, the king's ...
/f/fatted.htm - 12k

Rogel (4 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 1:9 Adonijah killed sheep and cattle and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth,
which is beside En Rogel; and he called all his brothers, the king's sons ...
/r/rogel.htm - 8k

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