Sela

Sela is a toponym and given name used in various languages and cultures. In ancient geography, Sela was the Hebrew name of the capital city of the Edomites, placed in the southern Levant. The name means “rock” or “cliff” in Hebrew, reflecting the city’s fortress-like position on rock faces. The site is commonly identified with Petra in present-day southern Jordan, though exact identification is debated among scholars. In biblical literature, Sela is described as a stronghold carved in rock and figures in accounts of Edom and its downfall, notably in prophetic writings such as Obadiah.

In modern usage, Sela is also a female given name. It is used in Hebrew-speaking communities and elsewhere, sometimes chosen for its cultural resonance with the biblical place-name. Notable people with the given name include Sela Ward, an American actress known for television and film work.

The name Sela also appears as a geographic toponym in various locales, and it is sometimes found in surname forms in the broader Middle East and surrounding regions. Because of its similarity to the biblical term selah, which marks a pause or musical interlude in Hebrew poetry, Sela is sometimes confused with Selah, though the two are distinct in usage.

See also: Selah.