sorek Summary and Overview

choice vine, the name of a valley, i.e., a torrent-bed, now the Wady Surar, "valley of the fertile spot," which drains the western Judean hills, and flowing by Makkedah and Jabneel, falls into the sea some eight miles south of Joppa. This was the home of Deliah, whom Samson loved (Judg. 16:4).

(red), The valley of, a wady in which lay the residence of Delilah. #Jud 16:4| It was possibly nearer Gaza than any other of the chief Philistine cities, since thither Samson was taken after his capture at Delilah's house.

A wady (Hebrew nachal) where dwelt Delilah (Judges 16:4). Near Gaza probably (Judges 16:21). Sorek means "a choice kind of vine" with dusky colored grapes. The Arabic now expresses a purple grade of Syria, noted for small raisins, soft minute pips, and red wine. Named from plantations of this vine; so Masrekah (Genesis 36:36). Porter identifies Sorek with wady Surar (Hebrew "pebbles"), the drain of the western Judaean hills, running as a broad flat valley through the lower hills and reaching the sea at Yebneh. The valley separates the rugged mountains of the 'Arkub from the "low rolling hills" of the shephelah, beyond which is the Philistine plain. The valley of Sorek joins the great gorge which bounded Judah on the N.; at the junction lie the ruins of Bethshemesh on a knoll. On the south is Timnath, where Samson slew the lion; on the north are Sur'a and Eshu'a, the ancient Zoreah and Eshtaol. Beit Atab ("rock Etam") is two miles westward; on the N. side of the valley is a chapel dedicated to neby Samit, a name related to Samson. (See TIMNATH.)