Reference: Jaazer

he (God) helps, a city of the Amorites on the east of Jordan, and assigned, with neighbouring places in Gilead, to Gad (Nu 32:1,35; Jos 13:25). It was allotted to the Merarite Levites (Jos 21:39). In David's time it was occupied by the Hebronites, i.e., the descendants of Kohath (1Ch 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."

Hebrew; Jaezzeer. A town E. of Jordan in Gilead (Nu 32:1,3-35; 1Ch 26:31). Taken by Israel from the Amorites on the way to Bashan (Nu 21:32-33). Now the ruins es Szir, ten miles N.E. of Heshbon; a castle and a large walled pool, the "sea" of Jer 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 (Jos 13:25; 2Sa 24:5). This conquest completed their acquisition of the Amorite kingdom. Soon after, Gad occupied it pastorally. Assigned to the Merarite Levites (Jos 21:39), but occupied by Hebronites (Kohathites) in David's time (1Ch 26:31).

The plants of the Sibmah vine are said in Isa 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 (Ps 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.

Ja'azer Jazer. Ja'zer

City and district in Gilead: it was taken from the Amorites by Israel, allotted to Gad, and given to the Levites. 32/type/moffatt'>Nu 21:32; 32/1/type/moffatt'>32:1,3,35; Jos 13:25; 21:39; 1Ch 6:81; Isa 16:8-9. In Jer 48:32 the 'sea of Jazer' is supposed to refer to a lake in the neighbourhood. Identified by some with Beit Zerah, 31 50' N, 35 51' E.