SOREK, or Sorec, a Brook that pass’d through the Tribe of Dan. ‘Twas also the Place where dwelt the famous Delilah, Samson’s Mistress.1 Eusebius says, it was not far from Zorah and Eshtaol, which was the Place of Samson’s usual Abode2.
Caphar-Sorek, or the Camp of Sorek, was a Town near Zorah, or Saraa, according to the same Eusebius.
The Wine of Sorek, was that which was made in the Vale of this Name. Some have thought it to be the same as the Wine of Askalon, which is famous among the Antients. The Brook of Sorek did not run far from this City. The Rabbins think Sorek to be a particular Kind of Plant or Vine, which bears a great Quantity of excellent Fruit, and at all Seasons. It is certain, that Sorek does not only signify the Grape or the Wine of the Valley of Sorek, but a Kind of Wine in general; and probably of the white or yellowish Grape, of which they made the White-wines in this Country. The Lord Isai. v. 2. Isai. xvi. 8. Gen. xlix. 11. Jer. ii. 21. Isa. xix. 9. Zech. i. 8.says, he planted his Vine of Sorek. Isaiah tells us of the Plant of Sorek, which was to be seen at Jazer beyond Jordan. The Wine of Sorek was excellent; and the Colour of the Sorek was probably yellow, or white inclining to yellow. Isaiah speaks of the Flax of Sorek, or Colour of Sorek; and Zechariah describes Horses of the same Colour.3 Some will have it, that it was in the Valley of Sorek that the famous Bunch of Grapes was gather’d, which was brought to the Israelites in the Desart, Numbers xiii. 2. But this Opinion is without any Foundation.
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