Who and what is…
Tirzah

also known as: Tirza

Hebrew: תִּרְצָה —transliteration: Tirtsah —meaning: delight; pleasantness; she is my delight

This is the name of a biblical city and a woman.

Tirzah, an ancient city

This was originally a royal idolatrous city of the Canaanites, which was destroyed by Joshua (Joshua 12:24).

The unnamed king of Tirzah is listed among the 31 kings defeated by Joshua during the Israelite conquest of the Promised Land.

The city was rebuilt by the Israelites, likely within Manasseh’s territory, and eventually again became a royal city.

After the kingdom split following Solomon's reign (circa 930 BC), Tirzah became the initial capital of the northern Kingdom of Israel (also called Samaria or Ephraim/Israel). It served this role for roughly 40–50 years under the first several kings:

• Jeroboam I (first king of the north): His wife traveled to Tirzah when their son Abijah fell ill and died there as divine judgment (1 Kings 14:17). Tirzah is implied as his residence.

  When King Jeroboam chose it for his residence, he moved there from Shechem, which at first he made the capital of his kingdom. It remained the chief residence of the kings of Israel till Omri took Samaria (1 Kings 14:17; 15:21; 16:6, 8, etc.).

• Nadab (Jeroboam's son): Brief reign.

• Baasha: Reigned 24 years from Tirzah (1 Kings 15:21, 33); buried there.

• Elah (Baasha’s son): Assassinated while drunk in his steward's house in Tirzah (1 Kings 16:8–9).

• Zimri: Seized power in a coup, reigned only 7 days in Tirzah; besieged by Omri's forces, he set the royal palace/citadel on fire and died in the flames (1 Kings 16:15–18).

• Omri: Initially ruled from Tirzah for about 6 years while consolidating power against rival Tibni. He began rebuilding but later moved the capital to the newly founded Samaria (1 Kings 16:23–24), about 7–8 miles west. Some structures from his time at Tirzah appear unfinished, reflecting this abrupt shift.

Here Zimri perished amid the flames of the palace to which in his despair he had set fire (1 Kings 16:18), and here Menahem killed Shallum (2 Kings 15:14, 16).

Solomon refers to the beauty of this city.

You are as beautiful as Tirzah, my darling,
As lovely as Jerusalem,
As majestic as an army with banners. —Song of Songs 6:4 LSB.

Tizrah ruins at Tel Fara North

Archaeology

Tirzah has been identified with Tell el-Far'ah (North) (aka Tel Far or Tel Fara), a 44 acre archaeological site (0.18 km²) located in the hills of modern Samaria, 9 miles (14.4 km) northeast of modern Nablus (ancient Shechem) by road. The site sits on a hill with fertile surrounding lands, olive groves, and a strategic position controlling routes between the highlands and the Jordan River. It is within what is currently known as Israel’s West Bank. Nearby to Tirzah is a spring today called Ein Al-Far'a. Note: Tell el-Far'ah (South) is a completely different archaeological site south of Gaza.

The Tizrah tell is partially covered by modern orchards and agriculture, with some looting noted in nearby tombs. Artifacts from the site are housed in places like the Louvre and Rockefeller Museum.

Archaeologically, Tirzah reflects the formative stages of the northern kingdom: modest beginnings, political turbulence, and eventual integration into broader regional networks before Assyrian destruction. It provides comparative insights into other early capitals (e.g., debates around 10th-century Jerusalem).

Evidence has been found of Late Bronze Age destruction of the city, possibly linked to the Israelite conquest described in Joshua.

Remains of early Israelite settlement there has been uncovered (Iron Age). These include an acropolis, domestic architecture, four-room houses (typical Israelite style), a possible shrine/model sanctuary, and artifacts like pottery, figurines (including possible Asherah/Astarte types, cow heads, horses, tambourine players), spindle whorls, arrowheads, two-chamber pottery kiln.

Later Iron Age remains coincide with the Israel capital period, 10th–9th centuries BC). Stratum corresponding to the Omri transition shows signs of destruction (possibly from Zimri's fire or Omri's takeover), followed by partial rebuilding with unfinished structures—matching the biblical account of Omri's short stay before moving to Samaria. Social hierarchy is evident: larger, well-built homes for elites versus simpler dwellings.

Iron Age II strata indicates later prosperity, more magnificent structures, administrative buildings, and a larger ceramic assemblage, evidence of olive oil production and agriculture. A destruction layer aligns with the Assyrian conquest under Tiglath-Pileser III or Sargon II (c. 732–720 BCE). Finds include luxury items (e.g., Assyrian-style wine vessels), glyptic artifacts, Cypriote imports, and plant remains.

Tirzah, a woman

She is the youngest of Zelophehad’s 5 daughters (Numbers 26:33; Joshua 17:3).

Her sisters are Noah, Mahlah, Hoglah, and Milcah.

Their father died during the 40 years of wandering with no male heir.