Sorek
SOREK
A valley in which Delilah resided, not far from Zorah, and Eshtaol, Jdg 16:4 . In winter and spring it was the channel of a brook, flowing northwest from Judah, by the region of Dan and the Philistines, into the Mediterranean. Jerome mentions a village of Sorek in that vicinity. The same Hebrew word, translated “choice” and “noble” in Gen 49:11 ; Isa 5:2 ; Jer 2:21, its the name of a vine bearing small grapes, but very sweet and almost without seeds. This vine may have given the valley its name.
Fuente: American Tract Society Bible Dictionary
Sorek
(Heb. Sorek’, , red; Sept. [in some copies compounded with a part of the preceding word]), the name of a valley (, wady) in which lay the residence of Delilah (Jdg 16:4). It appears to have been a Philistine place, and possibly was nearer Gaza than any other of the chief Philistine cities, since thither Samson was taken after his capture at Delilah’s house. Beyond this there are no indications of its position, nor is it mentioned again in the Bible. Eusebius and Jerome (Onomast. ) state that a village named Capharsorech was shown in their day on the north of Eleutheropolis, near the town of Saar (or Saraa), i.e. Zorah, the native place of Samson. Zorah is now supposed to have been fully ten miles north of Beit-Jibrin, the modern representative of Eleutheropolis, though it is not impossible that there may have been a second further south. Van de Velde (Memoir, p. 350) proposes Wady Simsim, which runs from near Beit-Jibrin to Askulan; but this he admits to be mere conjecture. On the south side of the ridge on which the city of Zorah stood, and between it and Bethshemesh, runs a wide and fertile valley, whose shelving sides of white limestone are admirably adapted for the cultivation of the vine. It winds away across the plain, passing the sites of Ekron and Jabneel. This may possibly be the valley of Sorek. Its modern name, Wady es-Surar, bears some remote resemblance, at least in sound, to the Biblical Sorek (Porter, Handbook, p. 282). The view up this valley eastward is picturesque. The vale, half a mile across, is full of corn, and in the middle runs the white shingly bed of the winter torrent. Low white hills flank it on either side, and the high rugged chain of the mountains. of Judah forms a pretty background (Conder, Tent Work in Palest. 2, 175).
The word Sorek in Hebrew, signifies a peculiarly choice kind of vine. which is said to have derived its name from the dusky color of its grapes, that perhaps being the meaning of the root (Gesenius, Thesaur. p. 1342). It occurs in three passages of the Old Test. (Isa 5:2; Jer 2:21; and, with a modification, in Gen 49:11). It appears to be used in modern Arabic for a certain purple grape, grown in Syria, and highly esteemed, which is noted for its small raisins and minute soft pips, and produces a red wine. This being the case, the valley of Sorek may have derived its name from the growth of such vines, though it is hardly safe to affirm the fact in the unquestioning manner in which Gesenius (ibid.) does. Ascalon was celebrated among the ancients for its wine; and, though not in the neighborhood of Zorah, was the natural port by which any of the productions of that district would be exported to the west. SEE VINE.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Sorek (2)
The village by this name mentioned in the Onomasticon is probably represented by the present ruined site Khurbet Surek, lying one and a half miles north of Wady Sutrar, and the same distance west of Surah (Zorah). It contains “traces of a ruined village, springs, with a rock-cut wine-press, and cave to the west, and a sacred tree ” (Memoirs to the Ordnance Survey, 3:126).
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Sorek
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).
Fuente: Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Sorek
A wady (Hebrew nachal) where dwelt Delilah (Jdg 16:4). Near Gaza probably (Jdg 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 (Gen 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.)
Fuente: Fausset’s Bible Dictionary
Sorek
Sorek, a valley, probably so called from its vineyards (Jdg 16:4). Eusebius and Jerome place it north of Eleutheropolis, and near to Zorah.
Fuente: Popular Cyclopedia Biblical Literature
Sorek
[So’rek]
Valley in the land of the Philistines. Jdg 16:4. Identified with Wady es Surar, which has its source near BEEROTH.
Fuente: Concise Bible Dictionary
Sorek
So’rek. (red). The valley of Sorek. A wady in which lay the residence of Delilah. Jdg 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.