Lexical Summary Azzah: Gaza Original Word: עַזָּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Azzah, Gaza Feminine of az; strong; Azzah, a place in Palestine -- Azzah, Gaza. see HEBREW az Brown-Driver-Briggs עַזָּה proper name, of a location Gaza, Γαζα (Assyrian –azzutu, etc., COTi. 97 DlPa 290, Tel Amarna –azati, Azzati Wkl38 *; Egyptian Ga¼atu WMMAs.u.Eur.87,96,159,392; ᵐ5 Γαζα, so JosephusAnt.xiii.5,5, etc.; Herod.ii, 159; iii. 5 Κάδυτις); — Philistine city (modern  , Ghazze, Razze), approximately Latitude 31 degrees; 3 minutes North, Longitude 34 degrees 28 minutes East, approximately 50 miles west-southwest from Jerusalem, near the sea (RobBR ii. 36 ff. GASmGeogr. 181 ff. BuhlGeogr. 190 f.), Judges 16:1,21 (both עַזָּ֑תָה), southernmost of the famous five cities, Genesis 10:19 (J), Judges 6:4; 1 Kings 5:4; 2 Kings 18:8, compare Deuteronomy 2:23; Joshua 10:41 (D); also Joshua 11:22 (D), Joshua 15:47 (P), Judges 1:18; 1 Samuel 6:17; Amos 1:6,7; Zephaniah 2:4; Jeremiah 25:20; Jeremiah 47:1,5; Zechariah 9:5 (twice in verse); — On commercial importance see DHMB und S 989 GattZPV vii (1884), 1ff., 293 ff.; viii (1885), 69 ff., 179 ff. — For עַזָּה 1 Chronicles 7:28 van d. H., read עַיָּה Baer Ginsb (q. v.), Be Oettli Kau KitHpt.; see עַי. Topical Lexicon Geographic Setting and Early References Gaza stood on the coastal route linking Egypt with the Levant, about 80 kilometers southwest of Jerusalem, commanding the fertile plain later called Philistia. Genesis 10:19 marks it as the southern limit of early Canaanite territory, showing that from the beginning it was a strategic frontier city. Deuteronomy 2:23 notes Avvite occupation before the Philistines arrived, hinting at repeated population shifts that shaped its character as a stronghold. Role within the Philistine Pentapolis By the time of the Judges Gaza had become the southernmost city of the five-city Philistine league (Judges 16:1; 1 Samuel 6:17). Its harbor and trade routes enriched the Philistines and enabled continual pressure on Israel’s western flank. The fortified strength reflected in the name עַזָּה matched the military muscle of its inhabitants. Gaza in Israel’s Conquest and Tribal Borders Joshua’s campaigns reached “from Kadesh-barnea to Gaza” (Joshua 10:41), yet total possession proved elusive. Judah temporarily “captured Gaza with its territory” (Judges 1:18), and the tribal allotment of Judah’s coast included “Gaza with its villages” (Joshua 15:47). The pattern—initial victory, partial occupation, subsequent Philistine resurgence—illustrates Israel’s broader struggle to finish the conquest when obedience flagged. Samson and Gaza: Lessons in Strength and Weakness Gaza forms the backdrop for one of Scripture’s most memorable moral dramas. Samson’s nocturnal visit to a prostitute there (Judges 16:1) exposed his fragility; his later capture, blinding, and imprisonment in Gaza’s prison (Judges 16:21) display the bitter fruit of compromised calling. Yet even in defeat God’s sovereign purpose triumphed as Samson destroyed Gaza’s temple of Dagon, reminding believers that divine strength is made perfect in weakness. The Ark Incident and Subsequent Royal Campaigns After the Philistines sent back the captured Ark, Gaza shared in the guilt offering of golden tumors (1 Samuel 6:17), underscoring its complicity in dishonoring the LORD. Centuries later Solomon’s dominion reached “Tiphsah to Gaza” (1 Kings 4:24), and Hezekiah “defeated the Philistines, as far as Gaza and its borders” (2 Kings 18:8). Both reigns display how covenant faithfulness brings expanding influence—even to long-oppressed borderlands. Prophetic Oracles Concerning Gaza Jeremiah, Amos, Zephaniah, and Zechariah pronounced judgment on Gaza for violence, slave-trading, and pride: • “For three transgressions of Gaza, even for four, I will not revoke My anger” (Amos 1:6–7). These prophecies were partly fulfilled by Nebuchadnezzar’s campaigns and later by Alexander the Great, demonstrating the certainty of divine justice. Yet Zechariah 9:7 also anticipates a remnant that will belong to the LORD, hinting at future inclusion of Gentiles even from historically hostile cities. Gaza in Later Biblical Memory The Chronicler cites Gaza on the western edge of Ephraimite settlement (1 Chronicles 7:28, textual variant), preserving its identity as a boundary marker. Post-exilic mention in Zechariah shows the city still prominent centuries after the Exodus, testifying to the accuracy and continuity of the biblical record. Theological and Ministry Reflections 1. Sovereign Boundaries: Gaza’s recurring appearance at Israel’s limits illustrates that God establishes national borders (Acts 17:26) and holds nations accountable for how they treat His people. Through its twenty-one Old Testament occurrences, Gaza becomes a living classroom on conquest and compromise, sin and judgment, sovereignty and grace—truths that continue to guide God’s people today. Forms and Transliterations בְּעַזָּ֛ה בעזה וְעַזָּה֙ ועזה לְעַזָּ֤ה לעזה מֵֽעַזָּ֔ה מעזה עַזָּ֑ה עַזָּ֑תָה עַזָּ֔ה עַזָּ֖ה עַזָּ֗תָה עַזָּ֣ה עַזָּ֥ה עַזָּֽה׃ עַזָּה֙ עַיָּ֖ה עזה עזה׃ עזתה עיה ‘ay·yāh ‘ayyāh ‘az·zā·ṯāh ‘az·zāh ‘azzāh ‘azzāṯāh aiYah azZah azZatah bə‘azzāh bə·‘az·zāh beazZah lə‘azzāh lə·‘az·zāh leazZah mê‘azzāh mê·‘az·zāh meazZah veazZah wə‘azzāh wə·‘az·zāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 10:19 HEB: גְרָ֖רָה עַד־ עַזָּ֑ה בֹּאֲכָ֞ה סְדֹ֧מָה NAS: as far as Gaza; as you go KJV: to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, INT: Gerar far Gaza go Sodom Deuteronomy 2:23 Joshua 10:41 Joshua 11:22 Joshua 15:47 Judges 1:18 Judges 6:4 Judges 16:1 Judges 16:21 1 Samuel 6:17 1 Kings 4:24 2 Kings 18:8 1 Chronicles 7:28 Jeremiah 25:20 Jeremiah 47:1 Jeremiah 47:5 Amos 1:6 Amos 1:7 Zephaniah 2:4 Zechariah 9:5 Zechariah 9:5 21 Occurrences |
    |