Deut. iv. 44.BEZER, or Bozra, or Bostra, a city beyond Jordan, given by Moses to the Tribe of Reuben; was designed by Joshua to be made a city of refuge to those who had Jos. xx. 8, xxi. 6. Jos. xxi. 27.committed involuntary murder. It was made over to the Levites of Gershom’s family, to be a place of habitation for them. As often as the scripture speaks of Bezer, it adds always in the wilderness; because it lay in Arabia Deserta, and the eastern part of Edom, encompassed on all sides with desarts. Isaiah threatens Bozra Isa. xxxiv. 16. Isai. lxiii. 1. 1 Mac. v. 26, 27, 28.with very great misfortunes, and describes a Conqueror coming from Bozra, with his cloaths all covered with Blood. This Conqueror is believed to be Judas Maccabæus, who took Bezer or Bozra, and made great ravages in it. He killed all the males he found there, plundered the city, and then set fire to it. Jerem. xlviii. 24, 25. xlix. 13, 22, &c.Jeremiah likewise threatens Bozra in a terrible manner, and we believe his menaces were then accomplished, when Nebuchadnezzar carried his arms into Edom and the neighbouring Provinces1, five years after the taking and desolation of Jerusalem. Eusebius2 places Bozra at four and twenty miles distance from Adraa or Edrai. This city is said to belong sometimes to Reuben, sometimes to Moab, and again to Edom; because as it was a frontier to these three Provinces, it sometimes was in the hands of one, sometimes of the other, as force and the chance of war decided. There are medals found belonging to this place, which was celebrated among the antients. There are Bishops of Bostra, whose names were subscribed to the Decree of several Councils. It is sometimes made part of the land of Gilead, sometimes of the Trachonitis, at others again of the Auranitis, and most frequently of Arabia or Idumæa. Some Geographers allow of several cities of this name, but we see no necessity to multiply them.
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