Tirza

Tirza (Tirzah) served a dual role in Scripture. As a city, it was an ancient Canaanite royal seat captured by Joshua (Josh. 12:24) that became the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel from Jeroboam I until Omri moved the capital to Samaria (1 Kings 14:17; 15:21; 16:6). Its beauty is celebrated in Song of Solomon 6:4, where the beloved is compared to both Tirzah and Jerusalem. As a name, Tirza was one of the five daughters of Zelophehad of Manasseh who successfully petitioned Moses for their father's inheritance (Num. 27:1).

The city's location is generally identified with Tell el-Far'ah North, approximately seven miles northeast of Shechem, where excavations have confirmed occupation from Chalcolithic through Iron Age periods. Its function as the northern kingdom's first capital gives it significance in the early history of the divided monarchy. The name means pleasantness or delight.