Jezreel. [Jez'reel]
1. Descendant of 'the father of Etam.' 1 Chronicles 4:3. (Six Hebrew MSS, the LXX, and the Vulgate read 'sons' instead of 'father.')
2, 3. Symbolical name both of the son of Hosea and of Israel. Hosea 1:4, Hosea 1:1. Jezreel is interpreted both 'God scatters' and 'God sows.' Hosea 1:4 refers to judgement upon the house of Jehu and the house of Israel; and Hosea 1:11 to blessing, when of both Israel and Judah it will be said, "Ye are the sons of the living God." Then "great shall be the day of Jezreel:" cf. Hosea 2:22, Hosea 1:2; "I will sow her unto me in the earth." Then God will say to her, "Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God."
4. City of Judah, from whence David married Ahinoam. Joshua 15:56; 1 Samuel 1:25;
5. City in Issachar, the abode of Ahab and Jezebel, and principally connected with their history. It was the scene of Jezebel's tragical end. Joshua 19:18; 2 Samuel 1:2; 2 Samuel 1:4; 1 Kings 1:18, 1 Kings 1:18; 1 Kings 1:21, 1 Kings 1:21; 2 Kings 1:8; 2 Kings 1:9-37; 2 Kings 1:10-11. Identified with Zerin, 32 34' N, 35 19' E.
6. The extensive valley or plain in which the last-named city was situated, in southern Galilee. It has been called the battle-field of Palestine. It was where Barak triumphed, and where Josiah was defeated, Judges 5:19; 2 Chronicles 1:35 — Megiddo being in the same locality. It is also perhaps the place where the great battle of Armageddon will be fought. Revelation 16:16. It is a very fertile plain, and is now well cultivated (cf. Hosea 2:22); Joshua 17:16; Judges 6:33; Hosea 1:5. The name ESDRAELON is given to this valley in the Apocryphal Book of Judith 3:9, etc. Now called Merj Ibn Amir.