Place Old Testament
Sela
Also known as Sela =ESV, NIV, KJV; Selah, rock =KJV, rock =ESV, KJV; cliff =NIV, Joktheel
Sela, also known as rock or Joktheel, was an Edomite stronghold captured by King Amaziah of Judah (2Ki. 14:7; 2Chr. 25:12; Isa. 16:1; 42:11; Judg. 1:36). Mentioned in 5 verses across 4 books, first at Judges 1:36.
Why it matters. Edomite stronghold captured by King Amaziah of Judah
- Primary passages
- Location
- 30.322, 35.456 (approximate, within about 2 km)
Coordinates from STEPBible TIPNR (palopenmaps.org link). Approximate; not independently verified.
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-30 by the FaithGraph team
About Sela
Sela, meaning "rock" in Hebrew, was an Edomite stronghold located in the mountainous region of Seir. It is also referred to as Joktheel, a name given to it by King Amaziah of Judah after he captured it (2Ki. 14:7; 2Chr. 25:12). Sela is mentioned in several biblical passages, often in the context of God's judgment against Edom (Isa. 16:1; 42:11). The city was known for its strategic location and natural defenses, as it was situated in a valley surrounded by steep cliffs. Sela is believed to be the ancient name for the city of Petra, the capital of the Nabataean kingdom, which was carved into the rock faces of the surrounding mountains. The Nabataeans, who inhabited the area after the Edomites, further developed the city and its impressive rock-cut architecture. Today, the ruins of Petra are a popular tourist destination and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Jordan.
Description from STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0, lightly reformatted. This is background reference material, not Scripture and not a FaithGraph editorial claim.
Connections
No reviewed connections yet.
Appears in Scripture
Named in 5 verses across 4 books. Occurrence data from STEPBible TIPNR (CC BY 4.0); references only, no translation text.