Tirzah is mentioned several times in the Old Testament of the Bible. Here is an overview of the key things the Bible reveals about Tirzah:
1. Tirzah was an ancient Canaanite city
Tirzah was one of the ancient Canaanite cities that existed in the Promised Land before the Israelites conquered and settled there. It’s exact location is uncertain, but it was likely located in the hill country of Ephraim north of Shechem (modern day Nablus). Tirzah is first mentioned in Joshua 12:24 as one of the cities whose kings were defeated by the Israelites under Joshua.
2. Tirzah was briefly the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel
After the united monarchy of Israel split following the reign of Solomon, Tirzah became the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel under King Jeroboam I (1 Kings 14:17). It remained the capital for the next two kings, Nadab and Baasha, until King Omri moved the capital to the city of Samaria which he had built (1 Kings 16:8-9, 16:23-24). So Tirzah only served as capital for around 40 years before being replaced.
3. Tirzah was known for its beauty
The name Tirzah means “pleasant” or “delightful” in Hebrew. This signifies that ancient Tirzah was likely known as a beautiful city. This is reinforced in Song of Solomon 6:4 where Tirzah is poetically described as “lovely as Jerusalem, awesome as an army with banners.” So Tirzah had a reputation for beauty.
4. Tirzah was the home of one of Jeroboam’s idols
When Jeroboam I led the northern tribes in rebellion against the house of David, he set up idols in the cities of Dan and Bethel for the people to worship instead of going to Jerusalem. 1 Kings 14:17 mentions that he also “made shrines on the high places and made priests from every class of people, who were not of the Levites.” It’s probable that Tirzah as the new capital also received an idol shrine, although not explicitly stated.
5. Tirzah was near the tribal allotment of Manasseh
In Joshua 17:3, the descendants of Manasseh complain to Joshua that their allotted tribal territory was too small. They said it didn’t include many of the Canaanite cities in the region, including Tirzah. This indicates Tirzah was located near the hill country allotted to Manasseh.
6. Tirzah was the home town of Jeroboam’s wife
1 Kings 14:17 notes that Jeroboam’s wife Zeruah came from Tirzah. This would make sense since Tirzah was the new capital city after Jeroboam became king. Zeruah is only mentioned in this one verse.
7. Tirzah was captured by the Assyrians
The prophet Hosea mentions Tirzah in his pronouncement of judgment against the northern kingdom of Israel for their idolatry. In Hosea 5:5 and 10:14, God says that the people will be carried away captive to Assyria because of their sins. The context implies that Tirzah itself fell to the Assyrian king Tiglath-pileser III in his conquest of the northern kingdom around 733-732 BC (2 Kings 15:29).
8. Tirzah was the home of one of Jeroboam II’s officials
The prophet Amos ministered during the reign of Jeroboam II over Israel. In Amos 6:1, Amos delivers a word of judgment against “those who are at ease in Zion” and against the rulers in Samaria. He then calls out by name the rulers in the kingdom, including one official named Jaazaniah “son of the Tirzahite.” This indicates there was still a noble class living in Tirzah in Jeroboam II’s day.
So in summary, Tirzah was an ancient Canaanite city that the Israelites failed to conquer at first. It later became the capital of the northern kingdom for a brief period before being replaced by Samaria. Tirzah was known as a beautiful city, was associated with idol worship under Jeroboam, and was located near the tribal territory of Manasseh. It was eventually conquered and destroyed by the Assyrians after over two centuries as an Israelite city.
9. Tirzah Illustrates the Judgment of God Against Idolatry
The mention of Tirzah throughout Scripture seems to illustrate God’s judgment on the idolatry of the northern kingdom of Israel. God promised to drive out the Canaanites and give their land to His people if they remained faithful to Him (Deut 4:1). But Israel failed to remove pagan shrines like those at Tirzah, and even began to worship false gods themselves later on. So decades later, Tirzah and other cities of Israel fell back into the hands of pagan peoples as God’s judgment for their idolatry.
Tirzah went from being a stronghold of the Canaanites, to becoming a capital of Israel, and finally being conquered by Assyria again. Its history traces the tragically cyclical pattern of Israel’s repeated idolatry, unfaithfulness to God, and subjection to foreign powers as punishment. Tirzah represents this progression in microcosm as the writers of Kings and the prophets use it as an example of God’s judgment on the nation.
10. Tirzah as Representation of Israel’s Spiritual Unfaithfulness
On a symbolic level, Tirzah’s mention in the Song of Solomon contrasts its reputation as a delightfully beautiful city, to being representative of Israel’s spiritual ugliness in their unfaithfulness to God. Though lovely in appearance, Israel’s worship of false gods made her spiritually “unattractive” and subject to judgment, like Tirzah, despite outward beauty.
The pairing of Tirzah and Jerusalem in the Song also creates a striking comparison between the northern capital which turned to idol worship, and Jerusalem which remained more faithful to God in Judah’s kingdom. Tirzah represents outward beauty masking inner unfaithfulness, while Jerusalem represents the genuine beauty of walking in God’s ways.
As one of Israel’s capital cities, Tirzah encapsulates a powerful object lesson that outward appearances, political power, and formidable reputation cannot hide unfaithfulness from the judgment of God. Tirzah’s legacy illustrates the danger of compromise, idolatry, and spiritual adultery that pollutes pure devotion to God.
11. Mention in Song of Solomon Points to Redemption of Israel’s Ruins
Though Tirzah bore the consequences of Israel’s idolatry, the mention of its name in Song of Solomon hints that there is still hope of redemption. It is likened to Jerusalem, which though ruined at certain points, was restored and beautified again in even greater glory as God’s city.
In a prophetic sense, Tirzah’s inclusion represents the future day when all of Israel’s once glorious cities ruined by judgment will be reclaimed and restored again by God’s grace. The Song points to Messianic restoration of Israel’s ancient capital cities, including Tirzah, for worship of the true God in the age to come.
So Tirzah stands as a representation of both the judgment on Israel’s idolatry as well as her ultimate redemption and healing to the praise of God’s glory. As a city emblematic of God’s dealings with Israel, its history points to the lessons of avoiding compromise, the pain of judgment for sin, and the hope of future everlasting restoration by God’s grace.
12. Tirzah Remains a Symbol of Ancient Israel’s Legacy
Though the precise location remains lost, the name of Tirzah endures in Scripture as symbolic of ancient Israel’s spiritual trajectory. Tirzah encapsulates the highs, lows, failures and future hopes of God’s covenant people.
As an impressive Canaanite city-state, to capital of the divided northern kingdom, to humbled Assyrian conquest, to poetic muse representing the fortunes of all Israel, Tirzah occupies a unique place in the biblical landscape. Though perhaps not as prominent as Jerusalem or Samaria, Tirzah looms large as a reminder of God’s uncompromising standards for His people.
More than just an ancient ruin, Tirzah remains through God’s Word as a testament to His dealings with Israel. Its history calls all God’s people to learn from Israel’s failures and embrace full obedience to the law of God – finding true beauty and redemption in faithfulness to Him.
13. Key Bible Passages on Tirzah
Here are some of the key Bible verses that mention Tirzah:
- Joshua 12:24 – Tirzah was one of the Canaanite cities conquered by Joshua
- 1 Kings 14:17 – Tirzah became Israel’s capital under Jeroboam
- 1 Kings 15:21, 33 – Tirzah was capital when Baasha and Elah were kings
- 1 Kings 16:6-9 – Omri moved the capital from Tirzah to Samaria
- Song of Solomon 6:4 – Tirzah described as “lovely as Jerusalem”
- 1 Kings 14:17 – Jeroboam’s wife was from Tirzah
- Hosea 5:5 – God says Tirzah will be captured by Assyria
- Hosea 10:14 – Tirzah mentioned in prophecy against Israel’s idolatry
- Amos 6:1 – A leader “son of the Tirzahite” mentioned
These key verses give insight into Tirzah’s history and spiritual legacy in Scripture.
14. Archaeological Findings Related to Tirzah
Though Tirzah’s exact location remains uncertain, some significant archaeological discoveries provide clues:
- Kh. Tura, west of Nablus, contains ancient remains possibly linked to Tirzah
- Excavations at Kh. el-Farah found an Iron Age gate and 10th century BC pottery shards, maybe from reign of Baasha
- Tell el-Farah, also west of Nablus, shows evidence of ancient occupation from 12th-7th century BC
- Tirzah may be Tel Tirzah or Tal al-Tirazah east of Shechem
- An ancient canal leading to Shechem possibly fits route implied in Joshua 17
Though no definitive archaeological evidence confirms Tirzah’s location, these findings provide clues that align with the biblical record of a significant ancient city in the hill country of Ephraim.
15. Tirzah Illustrates Dangers of Incomplete Obedience
Tirzah provides a strong example of the dangers of incomplete obedience and religious compromise. Though the Canaanite cities were commanded to be destroyed, Tirzah remained and influenced Israel’s worship:
- Joshua 17:11-13 – Israel did not remove all Canaanite inhabitants as commanded
- Joshua 23:13 – Israel allowed pagans to remain and intermingle
- Judges 1:27-36 – Many Canaanites including Tirzah remained unconquered
- Tirzah later emerged as place of idol worship under Jeroboam
This illustrates how failing to fully remove pagan influences led Israel straight into idolatry, inheritance curses, and judgment. Tirzah provides a stark example of the importance of complete obedience and separation from worldly compromise.
16. Tirzah Reveals Deception of Appearances Without Faithfulness
Another lesson from Tirzah is that outward appearances can deceive. Tirzah seemed delightful, but in reality was full of idolatry:
- Tirzah described as lovely and pleasant (Song 6:4)
- But Israel’s worship there was displeasing to God
- 1 Samuel 16:7 – God looks at the heart, not outward appearance
- Isaiah 29:13 – Israel honored God with lips but hearts were far from Him
The disconnect between Tirzah’s beauty and spiritual corruption illustrates that what truly matters is not appearances but faithful devotion to God. A delightful exterior can mask idolatry and sin in the heart.
17. Tirzah Foreshadows Restoration of Israel’s Ruined Cities
Though Tirzah endured destruction, its mention in Song of Solomon points to future restoration. Other verses also prophesy ruins rebuilt and resettled:
- Isaiah 61:4 – Israel’s ancient ruins will be restored
- Ezekiel 36:10, 33 – Cities will be rebuilt and resettled
- Amos 9:14 – Ruined cities will be rebuilt and inhabited
- Tirzah symbolic of Israel’s restoration after judgment
Tirzah’s name enduring though the city was destroyed foreshadows a future day when its ruins along with all of Israel’s cities will be reclaimed and rebuilt for the glory of God.
18. Tirzah Reveals Pride Before the Fall
Another lesson from Tirzah is that pride comes before the fall. It was exalted as capital but later conquered as judgment on idolatry:
- 1 Kings 15:33 – Tirzah was capital of Baasha’s kingdom
- Amos 6:1 – But later Amos warns “those at ease in Zion” headed for exile
- Proverbs 16:18 – Pride comes before destruction
- Obadiah 1:3-4 – Edom’s pride led to humbling
Tirzah’s shift from exalted capital to humbled ruin illustrates that pride in one’s status and security often precedes unexpected judgment from God. Its legacy is a warning against national and spiritual pride.
19. Lessons from Tirzah for God’s People Today
Though an ancient city, Tirzah’s mention in Scripture provides valuable lessons for God’s people today:
- Need for complete obedience to God’s commands
- Dangers of spiritual compromise with surrounding culture
- Not basing judgments on outward appearances
- Consequences of pride, idolatry and unfaithfulness to God
- God’s eventual restoration of those humbled through judgment
- Hope in God’s redemption of all ruins created by sin
As an emblem of Israel’s history, Tirzah calls all believers to uncompromising faithfulness to God. Its lessons spur reflection on avoiding compromise, pride, and idolatry in the life of faith.
20. Summary of Tirzah’s Significance
In summary, key things to know about Tirzah include:
- Prominent Canaanite city-state later occupied by Israel
- Briefly capital of northern kingdom of Israel
- Known for beauty but corrupted by idolatry
- Conquered by Assyria as divine judgment
- Mentioned in prophets and Song of Solomon
- Illustrates spiritual lessons about idolatry and pride
- Symbolizes future redemption of Israel’s ruins
As an important ancient city emblematic of Israel’s history, Tirzah occupies a unique place in Scripture. Its origins, rise, fall and enduring legacy provide insight into God’s dealings with His people and stand as a warning against compromise with idolatry.