Gozan

Gozan is mentioned in the Bible as a region to which the Israelites were exiled by the Assyrian Empire. It is referenced in 2 Kings 17:6: "In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria. He settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River, and in the towns of the Medes." Gozan is identified with the area around the Habor River, a tributary of the Euphrates, located in what is now modern-day northern Syria. This region was significant as a place of exile and resettlement for the Israelites, marking a period of judgment and dispersion due to their disobedience to God.

Haran

Haran is a city with deep historical and biblical significance. It is first mentioned in Genesis 11:31, where Terah, the father of Abram (later Abraham), settled with his family after leaving Ur of the Chaldeans. Haran is also the place where God called Abram to leave his family and go to the land He would show him (Genesis 12:1). In 2 Kings 19:12, Haran is mentioned in the context of the Assyrian conquests: "Did the gods of the nations that my fathers destroyed rescue them—the gods of Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and the people of Eden who were in Telassar?" Haran was a significant trade and cultural center in ancient Mesopotamia, located in what is now southeastern Turkey.

Rezeph

Rezeph is mentioned in the Bible in the context of the Assyrian conquests, specifically in 2 Kings 19:12 and Isaiah 37:12. It is listed among the cities conquered by the Assyrians, alongside Gozan, Haran, and others. The exact location of Rezeph is uncertain, but it is believed to have been situated in the region of northern Mesopotamia or Syria. The mention of Rezeph in the biblical narrative underscores the vast reach of the Assyrian Empire and the widespread impact of its military campaigns.

The Edenites in Telassar

The Edenites, or the "sons of Eden," are mentioned in 2 Kings 19:12 and Isaiah 37:12 as inhabitants of Telassar, a region conquered by the Assyrians. The term "Eden" here is not to be confused with the Garden of Eden from Genesis. The Edenites were likely a people group residing in a region known as Telassar, which is thought to be located in Mesopotamia. The biblical references to the Edenites in Telassar highlight the Assyrian Empire's extensive conquests and the subjugation of various peoples and regions. The mention of these places and peoples serves as a reminder of the historical context of the biblical narrative, illustrating the geopolitical landscape during the time of the Assyrian dominance.