Places of the Bible

Sela

Edom (southern Jordan) · Old Testament · 76 verses

Sela was a rock stronghold of Edom, its name meaning rock, often associated with the region later known as Petra. It was set among cliffs and ravines. The name appears in 2 Kings, Psalms, Isaiah and 1 more in the King James text.

About Sela

Sela was a rock stronghold of Edom, its name meaning rock, often associated with the region later known as Petra. It was set among cliffs and ravines.

Its place in the story

King Amaziah of Judah captured Sela from Edom and renamed it. Isaiah refers to Sela in an oracle concerning the region. Its rocky heights symbolized Edom's seemingly secure position.

Sela in Scripture (KJV)

“He slew of Edom in the valley of salt ten thousand, and took Selah by war, and called the name of it Joktheel unto this day.”
2 Kings 14:7 (KJV)
“Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.”
Psalms 3:2 (KJV)
“I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.”
Psalms 3:4 (KJV)
“Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.”
Psalms 3:8 (KJV)
“O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.”
Psalms 4:2 (KJV)
“Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.”
Psalms 4:4 (KJV)
“Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.”
Psalms 7:5 (KJV)
“The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.”
Psalms 9:16 (KJV)

Sela is named 76 times in Scripture; 8 shown above.

Where it leads

The fall of the rock fortress Sela shows that no human stronghold is secure apart from God, whose sure foundation is found in Christ the Rock.

Who is Jesus? · Places of the Bible

People also ask

Where is Sela in the Bible?

Sela was a rock stronghold of Edom, its name meaning rock, often associated with the region later known as Petra. It was set among cliffs and ravines. The name appears in 2 Kings, Psalms, Isaiah and 1 more in the King James text.

What happened at Sela?

King Amaziah of Judah captured Sela from Edom and renamed it. Isaiah refers to Sela in an oracle concerning the region. Its rocky heights symbolized Edom's seemingly secure position.

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Scripture verbatim KJV. Place facts curated; any coordinates via Wikidata (CC0).

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