Sela

She bore also a third: whom she called Sela. After whose birth, she ceased to bear any more.

Wherefore Juda said to Thamar his daughter-in-law: Remain a widow in thy father's house, till Sela my son grow up: for he was afraid lest he also might die, as his brethren did. She went her way, and dwelt in her father's house.

And she put off the garments of her widowhood, and took a veil: and changing her dress, sat in the cross way, that leadeth to Thamnas: because Sela was grown up, and she had not been married to him.

But he acknowledging the gifts, said: She is juster than I: because I did not give her to Sela, my son. However he knew her no more.

Selah, the capital of Idumea, built on an elevated plain, was situated in a deep valley, the entrance to which is by a lengthened defile, in some places not more than eight feet wide, which, in some parts, rising from 400 to 700 feet, nearly meet over head, about ninety miles to the south-east of Jerusalem. Mount Hor, celebrated in Scripture, overlooks the ruins of this ancient capital. It was called by the name of Petra from its rocky position; and by one of the prophets it is denominated "the Rock": it is also said, that Amaziah slew of Edom in the valley of Salt ten thousand, and took Selah by war, and called of it the name of Joktheel unto this day. (Jer. xlix. 16, 2 Kings xiv. 7)