Written by J.C.
In the summer of 2021, our family began actively seeking the specific place of protection as revealed in Scripture. From studying this topic, we understood that there is a prophetic location called Botsrah (Bozrah) where YHWH’s people will gather and be protected as they wait for Yahushua, our Good Shepherd, to return. It is important to our family that we are in the correct location. We have not yet arrived, but there is a lot that we have discovered along the way. Our discoveries point us in one direction: prophetic Botsrah.
Before sharing about prophetic Botsrah, I will explain that there is a significant difference between ancient Botsrah and the place called Botsrah in the prophetic Scriptures.
Ancient Botsrah vs. Prophetic Botsrah
Ancient Botsrah was located in the land of Edom (see Isa. 34:6, Isa. 63:1, and Jer. 49:22) and is believed to have been the capital of this territory. The region of Edom was mostly within the modern-day country of Jordan. In Scripture, Botsrah also appears once in conjunction with the region of Moab (Jer. 48:24) which bordered the northern part of Edom. Further, Botsrah is mentioned in the Book of Amos alongside the region of Teman (Amos 1:12), which was a biblical territory located in the southern area of Transjordan. All evidence suggests that the location of ancient Botsrah was in the area known today as Jordan.
In prophetic books of the Bible, the city of Botsrah was prophesied to be destroyed. For example, the Book of Jeremiah prophesied that Botsrah would be forever desolate and that the city would never be inhabited again.
Jeremiah 49:13 “For I have sworn by Myself,” declares יהוה, “that Botsrah is to become a ruin, a reproach, a waste, and a curse, and all its cities become everlasting wastes.”
This prophecy has been fulfilled. Our family has visited what is believed to be the ruins of ancient Botsrah. They are just outside the modern town of Busira, the Arabic name for the same word. The fact that ancient Botsrah no longer exists combined with the discovered ruins testifies to the city’s desolation.
However, we also know that there is a future gathering place that Scripture calls Botsrah. I refer to this future gathering place as Prophetic Botsrah. Jeremiah, in the same prophecy, chapter 49, also refers to Botsrah as a place YHWH spreads His wings of protection over while the inhabitants of Edom will greatly fear.
Jeremiah 49:22 See, like an eagle he flies up, and spreads his wings over Botsrah. And the heart of the mighty men of Edom in that day shall be like the heart of a woman in her pain.
For more about ancient Botsrah, be sure to check out our post, Ancient Botsrah.
https://thecalltojordan.com/2021/10/01/ancient-bozrah/
It is very important to make the distinction between the ancient Edomite city of Botsrah and the future place called Botsrah mentioned in the prophetic Scriptures!
Prophetic Scriptures show that future Botsrah will be an End Time gathering place and area of protection for YHWH’s people. Because ancient Botsrah lies in ruins and Scripture says that it will never be inhabited again, prophetic Botsrah and ancient Botsrah are not the same place. This means that Scripture is referring to two different places at two different times.
Botsrah as an End Days Gathering Place
Botsrah is also mentioned in Scripture as an End Days gathering place. In the Book of Micah, we see YHWH promised to deliver His people, gathering a remnant from the nations where they have been scattered.
Micah 2:12 “I shall certainly gather all of you, O Yaʽaqob, I shall bring together the remnant of Yisra’el, put them together like sheep of the fold [Botsrah], like a flock in the midst of their pasture, they being noisy because of men.” (The Scriptures Version 2009)
Micah 2:12 I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men. (KJV)
I included The Scriptures Version of this verse as well as the King James Version. In The Scriptures Version, the Hebrew word translated as ‘fold’ is Botsrah. From this version, along with many other versions, it is unclear that this prophecy is talking about a specific location for the gathering place. However, the King James Version directly translated the word Botsrah, validating that it is a place.
The name of the city Botsrah is spelled Bet-Tsadi-Resh-Hey (בצרה). It comes from the root word batsar which is spelled Bet-Tsadi-Resh (בצר).
In all occurrences in Scripture, with the letter ‘Hey’ at the end, Botsrah is always referring to the city which is an actual location. Without the ‘Hey,’ it is usually a verb.
The name of the city Botsrah translates as sheepfold, enclosure. Micah 2:12 is one of many Scripture passages that use the analogy of a shepherd and his sheep. YHWH promised to gather His people, like a shepherd gathering his flock. It is YHWH’s desire (and the desire of His people) to congregate His sheep together in a common sheepfold. The people are like sheep, and they will gather in a literal location. This verse named the Sheepfold ‘Botsrah.’
Ultimately, the location of future Botsrah is very important to anyone seeking physical refuge as one of YHWH’s sheep in the End Days.
The Sheepfold Constellation
Many of the readers of our website know that our family studies the stars and constellations. We do not study astrology, we study Biblical Astronomy. The Psalmist declared that the night sky (i.e. the stars) reveals secrets and knowledge (Ps. 19:1-2). Without the revelation of the stars, we might not understand many scriptural truths. We need to look to the Scriptures to confirm what is written in the Heavens, and often, we need the stars to understand the Scriptures.
One constellation that illuminates End Days’ prophecy about where YHWH will gather His people is the Sheepfold constellation. Many people are unaware that there is a constellation that depicts a sheepfold. This is because of all the lies associated with this constellation. The name commonly attributed to the Sheepfold is Cancer, which is Latin for Crab. There is no reasonable way to trace these stars to form a crab-like figure. Since this grave misrepresentation has obstructed the true picture, there are truths yet to be discovered about this constellation.
One great resource for studying the stars is Dr. Bullinger’s book, The WITNESS of the STARS. Bullinger gave many of the original Hebrew names for the stars and constellations in his book. Though he did not recover a definite Hebrew title for the Sheepfold constellation, he suggested that the root word for the constellation. He wrote:
The Arabic name is Al Shatan, which means who holds or binds, and may be from the Hebrew אָסַר, to bind together (Gen. xlix. II).
(The WITNESS of the STARS, pg. 148)
The word atsar (אָסַר) is closely related to the word Botsrah, and this is no coincidence. The Hebrew name for the constellation is likely Botsrah, and its meaning has been lost over time! The word botsrah is closely related to a few other words which all contribute to the constellation’s meaning: Batsar, Atsar, and Atsrah.
The meaning of the word batsar is to gather, fence, or fortify; it can mean a secret, mystery, or to make inaccessible. The verb atsar means to close up, withhold, restrain, surround, or enclose. Finally, the noun atsrah translates as an assembly, company, or group, which is often a holy assemblage such as a festival or holiday. By looking at the Hebrew for the name of the constellation, we have a better picture of what this constellation represents.
True to its name, it is the most hidden constellation on the Zodiac. Often brighter stars enable us to trace constellations, but this one has no bright stars. It is the faintest and smallest on the Ecliptic hidden between two larger more visible constellations. However, it is possible to see the Sheepfold away from city lights, as YHWH created all the signs on the Zodiac to be seen with the naked eye. This constellation represents a hidden place that is not easily seen. YHWH’s lost sheep will seek to discover this physical gathering place as revealed in both the Scriptures and the stars.
The Sheepfold is the eleventh constellation on the Zodiac. A sheepfold is defined as an enclosure for sheep. It is a fenced place for a shepherd to assemble his flock. The sheep are safe within the fold. Referring to the star image above, we can see that there is a gate for the sheep to enter and exit. The two doors of the gate are swung wide open to welcome the sheep. The gate is narrow, but the pen is spacious with room for the sheep to walk, run, and frolic. Shepherds have used this type of enclosure for millennia.
This constellation validates the prophecy in Micah 2:12, which says that YHWH will gather His people like sheep into a prophetic place named Botsrah.
The Breaker: In Prophecy and the Stars
There is another constellation in the sky that complements the Sheepfold constellation. These two constellations together reveal YHWH’s End Days plan of salvation for His people!
Above is an image I made of the Breaker constellation. This constellation is shaped as a man running forth with a strong (flexed) right hand and an outstretched left arm. Several times throughout Scripture, YHWH declared these attributes about Himself. The context of the verses below is YHWH gathering His people.
Ezekiel 20:33-34 “As I live,” declares the Master יהוה, “do not I, with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out, reign over you? And I shall bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the lands where you are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out.”
The Breaker constellation is commonly called by its Latin name Persues. Persues is a fictitious hero rooted in Greek mythology. However, the Hebrew name for this constellation is Perets (פרץ). This Hebrew name brings scriptural meaning to the constellation. The verb perets translates as to break forth, breach, burst out, or cut open. The English name ‘Breaker’ or ‘Waymaker’ is derived from the meaning of perets.
The course of this constellation in the sky is significant. The Breaker is located in the Heavens region* of the sky. As it moves through the sky, the Breaker gradually descends to the Earth region* as if on an imaginary stairway. Then, just after it touches its feet on Earth, it travels up to the Heavens region again. This cyclical motion is repeated nonstop for the part of the year the Breaker is seen in the sky. This constellation represents a man ascending and descending the stairway going up and down, to Heaven and Earth—‘Jacob’s Ladder.’ This man represents the one who breaks forth and comes to save with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.
*Please note: The regions of the sky are explained in my book, Written In The Heavens. The above paragraph may be a bit confusing without understanding how the night sky is divided into different regions.
Continuing with Micah 2, we find an interesting part of the prophecy. The Hebrew word perets is translated as the ‘breach-maker’ in verse 13.
Micah 2:12 “I shall certainly gather all of you, O Ya‛aqob, I shall bring together the remnant of Yisra’ěl, put them together like sheep of the fold [Botsrah], like a flock in the midst of their pasture, they being noisy because of men.”
Micah 2:13 “The breach-maker [Perets] shall go up before them. They shall break out [perets], and pass through the gate, and go out by it, and their sovereign pass before them, with יהוה at their head!”
This prophecy shows two great events. First, YHWH’s people (His sheep) will gather together in one fold, which is a physical location called ‘Botsrah.’ The stars are a confirmation of this sheepfold. Second, Micah foretells of one called the ‘Breaker’ who will appear to the people in the Sheepfold. The role of this Waymaker is to open the gate of the Sheepfold and to lead the people out. The Perets constellation testifies to this.
An important question: Who is this Breaker who will lead His sheep out of the sheepfold? Notice in the above verse that the Breaker will “pass before them [the sheep].” It also says that the King will “pass before them, with YHWH at their head.” In other words, this Breaker is also their King. The King is the one who will lead His people out of the Sheepfold. The purpose of YHWH’s people gathering in the Sheepfold is so that they will be in one place, where they will wait for the appearance of their Shepherd.
Yahushua is this Breaker! Yahushua is King of His people, and He is coming to Earth to establish His Kingdom and to lead His people out of the Sheepfold. Yahushua is also our Shepherd.
John 10:1-2 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter through the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up by another way, that one is a thief and a robber. But he who enters through the door is the shepherd of the sheep.”
John 10:3-4 “The doorkeeper opens for him, and the sheep hear his voice. And he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he has brought out his own sheep, he goes before them. And the sheep follow him, because they know his voice.”
John 10:14-15 “I [Yahushua] am the good shepherd. And I know Mine, and Mine know Me, even as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep.”
These constellations—the Sheepfold and the Breaker—together tell a story, validating the written Word of Yah. Botsrah is the place where Yahushua, our Waymaker, will appear unto His sheep. Only the sheep in this prophesied fold will meet Yahushua at the door, and He will lead those sheep out of Botsrah.
Botsrah: A Place of Yahushua’s Salvation
Further prophecy in the Book of Isaiah confirms that when Yahushua returns to His people (the ones in the Sheepfold), He will come to a place called ‘Botsrah.’
Isaiah 63:1 Who is this coming from Edom, with garments of glowing colours from Botsrah, who is robed in splendour, striding forward in the greatness of His strength? “It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.”
The context of this verse is YHWH bringing salvation to His people. Someone is asking, who is this coming from Edom, specifically Botsrah? YHWH answers that it is Him coming from Edom, acting strongly to save. At this point, YHWH has appeared to His people in the Sheepfold in the land of Edom. He has led His people out of the Sheepfold and is taking them elsewhere. This is the only thing that makes sense and also agrees with the prophecy in Micah.
The tone of Isaiah 63 changes from the salvation of YHWH’s people to the destruction of the ‘winepress.’
Isaiah 63:2-3 Why is there red on Your raiment, and Your garments like one who treads in the winepress? I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with Me. And I trod them down in My displeasure, and I trampled them in My wrath. Their blood is sprinkled upon My garments, and I have defiled all My raiment.”
In the above verses, we see that Yahushua will show up in Botsrah with stained garments. This is because He will have previously trampled the Winepress. The blood of people stained His garments! The destruction of the Winepress and the salvation of YHWH’s people at the sheepfold should not be confused.
Some people mistakenly think that the Winepress is Botsrah.
However, with Micah’s prophecy to help us interpret this prophecy in Isaiah, we can understand that Botsrah is NOT a place of destruction, but rather a place of protection.
Even with Isaiah’s prophecy taken by itself, we do not find that future Botsrah is a place of destruction. Isaiah 63:1 refers to YHWH coming from Botsrah; this is in the context of salvation, whereas Isaiah 63:2-6 refers to Yahushua trampling the Winepress. The context of these verses is violence and destruction.
In my mom’s book Jerusalem Fallacy, she goes into detail to explain the Winepress and show it will be Jerusalem. Her book expounds upon Yahushua trampling the Winepress (Jerusalem) as well as then appearing in Botsrah to save His people in the Sheepfold. I recommend her book for a deeper study of the Winepress being Jerusalem.
Prophetic Botsrah will be the place of protection and salvation for YHWH’s people. It will be a place for the people to wait for their King, the Breaker. Yahushua will manifest Himself in different ways at His Return. He will manifest to destroy the Winepress, and He will judge the nations. He will also come to redeem those in the Sheepfold.
Enter Through the Narrow Gate
In my new book about the constellations, I shared some insights into what it means to enter into the Sheepfold. The following is an excerpt:
Uncovering the mysteries behind the Sheepfold constellation brings important knowledge to YHWH’s plan of salvation. When asked about salvation at the End-Days, Yahushua said the following:
Luke 13:23-24 And someone said to Him, “Master, are there few who are being saved?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, because many, I say to you, shall seek to enter in and shall not be able.”
Entering through the narrow gate is the protocol for YHWH’s people to be saved. I believe Yahushua is talking about a physical gate in this passage. Many Bible readers might interpret this to be metaphorical. However, being a Hebraic teacher, Yahushua often gave His listeners concrete instructions to follow, not just philosophies to ponder. Yahushua could have described going through the narrow gate any other way, but He commanded us to “strive to enter.” The Greek word translated as strive is agnizomai. This word means to fervently strive, contend, fight, or struggle; it is also figurative (to compete with an adversary). This shows the great struggle needed to pass through the narrow gate. Sadly, Yahushua said that few will find this place of entry.
Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter in through the narrow gate! Because the gate is wide – and the way is broad – that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter in through it. Because the gate is narrow and the way is hard pressed which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
Evidence points to this narrow gate being the entrance to the actual Sheepfold, as portrayed in the stars. The two gate doors are swung wide open to welcome the sheep. The doors act as a funnel to direct the sheep into the fold. The closer the sheep walk towards the entrance, the narrower the space becomes for them. Because there is little space, the sheep begin to crowd near the entrance, pushing into each other. This makes the way hard-pressed. Not all the sheep can enter at once; they must come into the fold single file.
Entering the Sheepfold is not only about struggling to find the narrow gate. It is also about faith. When He came to Earth, Yahushua proclaimed that He is the door to the Sheepfold. The people who come in through faith in Him will be saved.
John 10:9 “I am the door. Whoever enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and shall go out and find pasture.”
The Sheepfold Constellation as a Map
Studying the stars brings confirmation to prophetic Botsrah as an End Days gathering place. I believe the Sheepfold constellation is a map—shaped to correlate with an actual location on Earth. In other words, the exact outline of this constellation overlaps with a modern location shown on a terrestrial map, which can be found in the biblical land of Edom (aka the modern-day area of southern Jordan.
In this image, the Sheepfold constellation is reflected on a map of Jordan. The placement of the Sheepfold is plausible as I have placed it in the northern part of Edom near Moab, in the southern half of Jordan.
It’s important to be obedient to the Scriptures and to actively seek prophetic Botsrah. Yahushua’s sheep will hear His voice (John 10:3-4). They will follow His voice to Botsrah. Yahushua’s voice is His Father’s Word (John 12:49). The Father’s Word for the End Time generation is hidden in the prophetic Scriptures.
If you would like to learn more about the Sheepfold and how the stars reveal End Times prophecy, check out my book, Written in the Heavens: Events on Earth Reveled in the Stars. It has some information in it that you are not going to want to miss on your journey to protection.
