Lexical Summary Pithom: Pithom Original Word: פִתֹם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Pithom Of Egyptian derivation; Pithom, a place in Egypt -- Pithom. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof foreign origin Definition a place in Eg. NASB Translation Pithom (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מִּתֹם proper name, of a location Pithom, Π(ε)ιθω, Α Πιθωμ (Egyptian Patum, Per-Atum, house of (god) Atum) one of the עָרֵי מִסְכְּנוֺת built by Israel for Pharaoh Exodus 1:11; identification by Naville with Tel el-Maskhkûta, near East end of Wady Tumilat, NavillePithom, 1885 Di-Ryon the passage DiSBAk, 1885, 889 ff. BädEgypt (4). 159. פתן (√ of following; meaning dubious; HilprBabylonian Exped. University of Pennsylvania ix (1898), 53, compare Assyrian patânu, 'protect,' whence two following, 'serpent' as protector, and 'threshold' as asylum; plausible, but exact meaning of patânu still uncertain). Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting Pithom is identified as one of the “store cities” constructed for Pharaoh in the eastern Nile Delta (Exodus 1:11). Its name (“house of Atum”) suggests a center dedicated to the Egyptian creator-deity Atum, likely located along the Wadi Tumilat, the fertile corridor connecting the delta to the Sinai. Two sites dominate the scholarly discussion: Tell el-Maskhuta and Tell el-Retabeh. Both lie on the ancient route to Canaan, a strategic placement for storing grain, weapons, and chariotry that could be deployed toward the Sinai frontier. Biblical Context Exodus 1:11 records Israel’s forced labor: “So they appointed taskmasters over them to oppress them with forced labor. They built Pithom and Raamses as store cities for Pharaoh.” The verse inaugurates the narrative of oppression that culminates in the Exodus, situating Pithom at the heart of Egypt’s attempt to subdue the burgeoning Hebrew population. The city therefore stands as a testament to human tyranny set against the backdrop of God’s impending deliverance. Historical Background The construction of royal “store cities” flourished in the Nineteenth Dynasty (circa thirteenth century B.C.), when Pharaohs Seti I and Ramesses II fortified the eastern delta to guard Egypt’s Asiatic border and secure supply lines. Labor forces often included corvée workers—native Egyptians, conquered peoples, and foreign slaves. Exodus records that Israelites were drafted into this system. Archaeological layers at Tell el-Maskhuta and Tell el-Retabeh show phases of massive brick-built magazines, silos, and granaries consistent with the biblical description. Archaeological Evidence • Tell el-Maskhuta: Excavations reveal mud-brick storage vaults, stamped bricks bearing royal cartouches, and votive inscriptions to Atum and Ra. Pottery and scarabs align with the late Eighteenth through Nineteenth Dynasties. Theological Themes 1. Bondage and Deliverance: Pithom symbolizes the systemic oppression from which the Lord will redeem His people (Exodus 3:7-8). Related Scripture and Themes • Joseph’s Grain Storage (Genesis 41:48-49) prefigures large-scale granaries and provides cultural memory of Egypt’s reservoir cities. Ministry Reflections • Advocacy for the Oppressed: Pithom reminds the church to stand with the marginalized, reflecting God’s heart revealed in the Exodus. Contemporary Application Modern believers may face corporate, governmental, or societal “Pithoms” that demand allegiance conflicting with God’s commands. The narrative invites steadfast obedience, confident that the same Lord who judged Egypt will vindicate His people. Forms and Transliterations פִּתֹ֖ם פתם pi·ṯōm piTom piṯōmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 1:11 HEB: לְפַרְעֹ֔ה אֶת־ פִּתֹ֖ם וְאֶת־ רַעַמְסֵֽס׃ NAS: storage cities, Pithom and Raamses. KJV: treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. INT: storage Pharaoh Pithom and Raamses |
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