It was founded by the South African Missionary Society on the farm Elandsfontein in 1817 and named after Zoar on the Red Sea, mentioned in the Bible (Gen. 14:2-8).
The Syriac Chronicles of Michael the Syrian (12th century) and of Bar Hebraeus (13th century) contain some obscure traditions regarding the founding of some of the "cities of the plain".
Zoara |