1048. Gaza

Lexicon

Gaza: Gaza

Original Word: Γάζα
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: Gaza
Pronunciation: GAH-zah
Phonetic Spelling: (gad'-zah)
Definition: Gaza
Meaning: Gaza, an old town in the south of Palestine, on the sea-coast.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Gaza.

Of Hebrew origin (Azzah); Gazah (i.e. Azzah), a place in Palestine -- Gaza.

see HEBREW Azzah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of Hebrew origin Azzah
Definition
Gaza, a Philistine city
NASB Translation
Gaza (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1048: Γάζα

Γάζα, Γάζης (Buttmann, 17 (15)), ἡ (אַזָּה i. e. strong, fortified (cf. Valentia); the 'ayin ע being represented by gamma γ', cf. עֲמֹרָה Γόμορρα), formerly a celebrated city of the Philistines, situated on a hill near the southern border of the land of Israel, between Raphia and Ascalon, twenty stadia (`at the most,' Arrian. exp. Alex. 2, 26; seven, Strabo 16, 30) from the sea and eleven geographical miles from Jerusalem. It was fortified and surrounded by a massive wall. Although held by a Persian garrison, Alexander the Great captured it after a siege of two months, but did not destroy it ((Josephus, Antiquities 11, 8, 4); Diodorus 17, 48; Plutarch, Alex. 25; Curt. 4, 6f). Afterward, in the year , Alexander Janmaeus, king of the Jews, took it, after a year's siege and destroyed it (Josephus, Antiquities 13, 13, 3). Gabinius rebuilt it (Josephus, the passage cited 14:5, 3). Finally, the emperor Augustus gave it () to Herod the Great (Josephus, the passage cited 15, 7, 3), after whose death it was annexed to Syria (Josephus, the passage cited 17, 11, 4). Modern Ghuzzeh (or Ghazzeh), an unfortified town, having an area of two English miles, with between fifteen and sixteen thousand inhabitants. Mentioned in the N. T. in Acts 8:26, where the words αὕτη ἐστιν ἔρημος refer to ἡ ὁδός; Philip is bidden to take the way which is ἔρημος, solitary; cf. Meyer at the passage; (Winers Grammar, § 18, 9 N. 3; Buttmann, 104 (91)). A full history of the city is given by Stark, Gaza u. d. philistäische Küste. Jena, 1852; a briefer account by Winers RWB (see also BB. DD.) under the word ; Arnold in Herzog iv., p. 671ff

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Of Hebrew origin, corresponding to Strong's Hebrew 5804 (עַזָּה, 'Azzah).

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: Strong's Hebrew 5804 (עַזָּה, 'Azzah) refers to the same city, emphasizing its longstanding presence and significance in biblical history.

Usage: The term "Gaza" is used in the New Testament to refer to the ancient city known for its strategic location and historical significance. It appears in the context of the early Christian church's expansion and missionary journeys.

Context: Gaza is one of the five major Philistine cities mentioned in the Bible, known for its strength and fortifications. It is located in the region that is now part of the modern-day Gaza Strip. Historically, Gaza was a significant trade center due to its position on the route between Egypt and the Levant.

In the Old Testament, Gaza is frequently mentioned as a Philistine stronghold. It was the site of several notable events, including the capture of Samson (Judges 16:1-3). The city was later conquered by various empires, including the Assyrians, Babylonians, and Persians.

In the New Testament, Gaza is mentioned in the Book of Acts. In Acts 8:26, an angel of the Lord instructs Philip to go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza. This encounter leads to the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch, a significant event in the spread of the Gospel beyond Jewish communities: "Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, 'Get up and go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.'" (Acts 8:26, BSB).

The city's historical and geographical context highlights its role as a crossroads of cultures and a focal point in biblical narratives. Gaza's mention in the New Testament underscores the early church's mission to reach diverse peoples and regions.

Forms and Transliterations

Γαζαν Γάζαν γαζαρηνοί γαζαρηνούς γαζαρηνών Gazan Gázan

Englishman's Concordance

Acts 8:26 N-AFS
GRK: Ἰερουσαλὴμ εἰς Γάζαν αὕτη ἐστὶν
NAS: from Jerusalem to Gaza. (This
KJV: Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is
INT: Jerusalem to Gaza the same is

Strong's Greek 1048
1 Occurrence

Γάζαν — 1 Occ.