Who and what is…
Tirza

also known as: Tirzah

Meaning: pleasantness

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

  1. Tirza, an ancient city

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

    King Jeroboam chose it for his residence, and he removed to it 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.).

    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.

    It has been identified with the modern Teiasir, 11 miles north of Shechem. Others, however, would identify it with Telluza, a village about 6 miles east of Samaria.

  2. 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.

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Article Version: June 28, 2024