Gaza — Bible place

Called also Azzah, which is its Hebrew name (Deut. 2:23; 1 Kings 4:24; Jer. 25:20), strong, a city on the Mediterranean shore, remarkable for its early importance as the chief centre of a great commercial traffic with Egypt. It is one of the oldest cities of the world (Gen. 10:19; Josh. 15:47). Its earliest inhabitants were the Avims, who were conquered and displaced by the Caphtorims (Deut. 2:23; Josh. 13:2, 3), a Philistine tribe. In the division of the land it fell to the lot of Judah (Josh. 15:47; Judg. 1:18). It was the southernmost of the five great Philistine cities which gave each a golden emerod as a trespass-offering unto the Lord (1 Sam. 6:17). Its gates were carried away by Samson (Judg. 16:1-3). Here he was afterwards a prisoner, and “did grind in the prison house.” Here he also pulled down the temple of Dagon, and slew “all the lords of the Philistines,” himself also perishing in the ruin (Judg. 16:21-30). The prophets denounce the judgments of God against it (Jer. 25:20; 47:5; Amos 1:6, 7; Zeph. 2:4). It is referred to in Acts 8:26. Philip is here told to take the road from Jerusalem to Gaza (about 6 miles south-west of Jerusalem), “which is desert”, i.e., the “desert road,” probably by Hebron, through the desert hills of Southern Judea.

It is noticed on monuments as early as B.C. 1600. Its small port is now called el-Mineh.

People and places

Recorded scripture occurrences (19)

References recorded in the source data; this is not an exhaustive list of mentions.

Show passage in OET: GEN 10:19

OET-RV GEN 10:19

19 and their border went from Tsidon toward Gerar as far as Azah (Gaza), and then toward Sedom, Amorah (Gomorrah), Admah, and Tsevoim, as far as Lesha.

OET-LV GEN 10:19

19 And_ the _border _of the_Kənaˊₐnī _he/it _was from_Tsidon your(ms)_going towards_Gərāra to ˊAzzāh your(ms)_going towards_Sedom and_Amorah and_ʼAdmāh and_Tseboyim to Lasha.

Show passage in OET: JOS 10:41

OET-RV JOS 10:41

41 Yehoshua attacked and conquered them from Kadesh -Barnea and as far as Azah (Gaza), all the land of Goshen and as far as Giveon.

OET-LV JOS 10:41

41 And_he_defeated _them Yəhōshūˊa from_Qādēsh- barnēˊa and_unto ˊAzzāh and_DOM all _of the _land _of Goshen and_unto Giⱱˊōn.

Show passage in OET: JOS 11:22

OET-RV JOS 11:22

22 No descendants of Anak were left in Yisrael, except that some remained in Azah (Gaza), in Gat, and in Ashdod.

OET-LV JOS 11:22

22 Not ˊAnāqī it _was _left in_land of _the _people _of of _Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) only in_ˊAzzāh in_Gat and_in_ʼAshdōd they _remained.

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Jump to OET JOS 11:22 section.

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