{
  "id": "dict_006153",
  "term": "Zereda",
  "slug": "zereda",
  "letter": "Z",
  "entry_type": "biblical_place",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "Zereda is an Old Testament place name, known as the hometown of Jeroboam son of Nebat (1 Kings 11:26). Its exact location is uncertain.",
  "simple_one_line": "A biblical place name associated with Jeroboam son of Nebat.",
  "tooltip_text": "An Old Testament place name mentioned as Jeroboam’s hometown; the site is not securely identified.",
  "aliases": [],
  "scripture_references": [],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [
    "Jeroboam son of Nebat",
    "1 Kings",
    "Kingdom of Israel",
    "Ephraim"
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "Zeredah",
    "Tirzah",
    "Shechem"
  ],
  "lede_intro": "Zereda is a biblical place name mentioned in connection with Jeroboam son of Nebat. Scripture identifies it as Jeroboam’s hometown but gives little else about the site.",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "Zereda is an Old Testament location named as the hometown of Jeroboam son of Nebat.",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [
    "Mentioned in 1 Kings 11:26",
    "Associated with Jeroboam son of Nebat",
    "Exact location is uncertain",
    "It is a place name, not a theological concept"
  ],
  "description_academic_short": "Zereda is an Old Testament location associated with Jeroboam son of Nebat (1 Kings 11:26). Because it is a geographical name rather than a theological concept, it should be treated as a place entry rather than a doctrine term.",
  "description_academic_full": "Zereda is a biblical place name mentioned in 1 Kings 11:26 as the hometown of Jeroboam son of Nebat. The biblical text provides very limited information about the site itself, and its precise identification remains uncertain. Zereda does not function as a theological concept or doctrine term; it is best handled as a geographical entry within a Bible dictionary.",
  "background_biblical_context": "In 1 Kings 11:26, Jeroboam son of Nebat is introduced as an Ephraimite from Zereda, a detail that helps locate him within the narrative of Solomon’s later reign and the coming division of the kingdom.",
  "background_historical_context": "Zereda is known only from its biblical mention. Historical and archaeological identification remains uncertain, so claims about its exact site should be stated cautiously.",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "The Old Testament text preserves Zereda primarily as an identifying marker for Jeroboam’s origin. No additional Jewish or ancient source information is necessary for the basic entry.",
  "key_texts_primary": [
    "1 Kings 11:26"
  ],
  "key_texts_secondary": [
    "1 Kings 12:1-20"
  ],
  "original_language_note": "The Hebrew form is a place name transliterated into English as Zereda. The Bible does not provide a detailed explanation of the name’s meaning in context.",
  "theological_significance": "Zereda has little direct theological significance beyond its role in identifying Jeroboam’s origin and setting the stage for the divided kingdom narrative.",
  "philosophical_explanation": "As a place name, Zereda illustrates how biblical geography can serve narrative and historical purposes without carrying independent doctrinal content.",
  "interpretive_cautions": "Do not overstate Zereda’s importance. Scripture identifies the town, but does not securely locate it or develop it into a theological symbol.",
  "major_views_note": "Most discussion concerns the site’s location and possible identification, not doctrinal meaning. The safest reading is simply to treat it as an obscure biblical hometown.",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "Zereda should not be turned into a doctrinal term or used to support speculative typology. Its main role is historical and narrative.",
  "practical_significance": "Zereda reminds readers that the Bible’s historical narratives are grounded in real places and people, even when some locations remain obscure to modern readers.",
  "meta_description": "Zereda is an Old Testament place name mentioned as the hometown of Jeroboam son of Nebat in 1 Kings 11:26.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/zereda/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/zereda.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}