jaazer Summary and Overview

he (God) helps, a city of the Amorites on the east of Jordan, and assigned, with neighbouring places in Gilead, to Gad (Num. 32:1, 35; Josh. 13:25). It was allotted to the Merarite Levites (21:39). In David's time it was occupied by the Hebronites, i.e., the descendants of Kohath (1 Chr. 26:31). It is mentioned in the "burdens" proclaimed over Moab (Isa. 16:8, 9; Jer. 48:32). Its site is marked by the modern ruin called Sar or Seir, about 10 miles west of Amman, and 12 from Heshbon. "The vineyards that once covered the hill-sides are gone; and the wild Bedawin from the eastern desert make cultivation of any kind impossible."

JAA'ZER , and JA'ZER (Jehovah helps), a city of Gilead, east of the Jordan, which was conquered and assigned to Gad and to the Levites. Num 21:32; Num 32:1; Josh 21:39. In the time of David it was held by Hebronites or Kohathites, 1 Chr 26:31, but in later times it was subject to Moab, and is often denounced in prophecies against that nation. Isa 16:8-9; Jer 48:32. It was situated at the massive ruins called Sar, about 4 hours (15 miles) north-east of Heshbon. Below the hill is a fountain with a stream which flows to the Jordan. Tristram found ancient terraces, probably vineyards, in illustration of Isa 16:9; Jer 48:32. There are mounds and rows of foundations at the head of the valley. In the A.V. the "Sea of Jazer" is referred to, Jer 48:32; but the passage may be rendered: "Thy shoots have overshot the sea, to Jazer have they reached;" the "sea" would then be the Salt or Dead Sea.

Hebrew Jaezzeer. A town E. of Jordan in Gilead (Numbers 32:1,3-35; 1 Chronicles 26:31). Taken by Israel from the Amorites on the way to Bashan (Numbers 21:32, 33). Now the ruins es Szir, ten miles N.E. of Heshbon; a castle and a large walled pool, the "sea" of Jeremiah 48:32; but Septuagint reads "the cities of Jaazer". Some error may be in the present text. The town gave its name to the surrounding district (Joshua 13:25; 2 Samuel 24:5). This conquest completed their acquisition of the Amorite kingdom. Soon after, Gad occupied it pastorally. Assigned to the Merarite Levites (Joshua 21:39), but occupied by Hebronites (Kohathites) in David’s time (1 Chronicles 26:31). The plants of the Sibmah vine are said in Isaiah 16:8 to have come even unto Jaazer, 15 miles from Heshbon, near Sibmah, "they wandered through the wilderness in wild luxuriance," namely, that encompassing Moab, "they are gone over the sea," namely, the sea of Jaazer, but others the Dead Sea (Psalm 80:8-11). The vine spread itself round the margin of the sea, and reached beyond to the other side; a sad contrast to the coming desolation, when "the pagan lords" should "break down the principal plants"! "Therefore I will weep with the weeping of Jaazer," i.e. such as Jaazer weeps with. Isaiah is touched with pity for Moab, though an alien. Ministers, in denouncing God’s wrath against sinners, should do it with tender sorrow, not exultation. At Jaazer was the source of a river falling into Jordan, and marshes or pools still at times are at the source of the wady Szir.