Tirzah

One of the Canaanite cities conquered by Joshua (Josh 12:24), although it does not appear in the later lists of places inhabited by the Israelites. On the other hand, Tirzah is mentioned as the name of one of the daughters of Zelophehad (Num 26:33; 27:1). Scholars therefore assume that Tirzah, and the other "daughters" mentioned in these verses, were all towns inhabited by the families of Manasseh. In later times Tirzah was the capital of the kings of Israel until the days of Omri (I Kgs 14:17; 15:21; 16:10-18). Omri reigned in Tirzah for six years before he built his new capital at Samaria (I Kgs 16:23-24). It seems that Tirzah was embellished by the kings of Israel who reigned there and so became a symbol of beauty (Song 6:4). Tirzah is identified with Tell el-Farah (north) which is located about 6 miles (10 km) to the northeast of Shechem (Nablus). Excavations have uncovered layers ranging from the Neolithic period down to its occupation by an Assyrian garrison in the late 8th century B.C.