Topical Encyclopedia Overview: No-amon, also known as Thebes, was an ancient city located in Upper Egypt. It served as the capital of Egypt during various periods and was renowned for its wealth, grandeur, and religious significance. The city is mentioned in the Bible, specifically in the book of Nahum, where it is used as a symbol of strength and subsequent downfall. Biblical References: The primary biblical reference to No-amon is found in Nahum 3:8-10 : "Are you better than Thebes, situated by the Nile, with water around her, whose rampart was the sea, whose wall was the water? Cush and Egypt were her boundless strength; Put and Libya were her allies. Yet she became an exile; she went into captivity. Her infants were dashed to pieces at the head of every street. They cast lots for her nobles, and all her great men were bound in chains." Historical and Geographical Context: No-amon, identified with the city of Thebes, was located on the east bank of the Nile River. It was a major center of worship for the god Amon, from whom the city derived its name. Thebes was known for its impressive temples, including the Karnak and Luxor temple complexes, and the Valley of the Kings, where many pharaohs were buried. During its peak, Thebes was a hub of political and religious activity. It was the capital of Egypt during the Middle and New Kingdoms and played a crucial role in the country's history. The city's wealth and power were largely due to its strategic location and the fertile lands surrounding it. Theological Significance: In the book of Nahum, No-amon is used as a metaphor for the impending judgment on Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. The prophet Nahum draws a parallel between the fall of No-amon and the prophesied destruction of Nineveh, emphasizing that no city, regardless of its strength and alliances, is immune to divine judgment. The mention of No-amon serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and justice. It illustrates the biblical theme that human pride and reliance on earthly power are ultimately futile in the face of God's will. The downfall of No-amon is a testament to the transient nature of worldly empires and the enduring authority of God. Archaeological Insights: Archaeological excavations in Thebes have uncovered a wealth of information about ancient Egyptian civilization. The city's ruins, including the temples and tombs, provide insight into the religious practices, art, and daily life of the time. These findings corroborate the biblical depiction of No-amon as a city of great significance and splendor. Cultural Impact: No-amon's legacy extends beyond its biblical mention. The city's historical and cultural contributions have left a lasting impact on the study of ancient Egypt. Its architectural achievements and artistic expressions continue to be subjects of admiration and scholarly research. In summary, No-amon, or Thebes, stands as a powerful symbol in the biblical narrative, representing both the heights of human achievement and the inevitable consequences of turning away from God. Its account serves as a poignant reminder of the ultimate authority of the divine over the affairs of nations. Smith's Bible Dictionary No-Amon(temple of Amon) (Nahum 3:8) No, (Jeremiah 46:25; Ezekiel 30:14,16) a city of Egypt, better known under the name of Thebes or Diospolis Magna, the ancient and splendid metropolis of upper Egypt The second part of the first form as the name of Amen , the chief divinity of Thebes, mentioned or alluded to in connection with this place in Jeremiah. There is a difficulty as to the meaning of No. It seems most reasonable to suppose that No is a Shemitic name and that Amen is added in Nahum (l.c.) to distinguish Thebes from some other place bearing the same name or on account of the connection of Amen with that city. The description of No-amon as "situated among the rivers, the waters round about it" (Nah. l.c.), remarkably characterizes Thebes. (It lay on both sides of the Nile, and was celebrated for its hundred gates, for its temples, obelisks, statues. etc. It was emphatically the city of temples, in the ruins of which many monuments of ancient Egypt are preserved, The plan of the city was a parallelogram, two miles from north to south and four from east to west, but none suppose that in its glory if really extended 33 miles along both aides of the Nile. Thebes was destroyed by Ptolemy, B.C. 81, and since then its population has dwelt in villages only. --ED.) International Standard Bible Encyclopedia NO-AMONno-a'-mon (no' 'amon, Egyptian nut, "a city," with the feminine ending t, and Amon, proper name of a god, City Amon, i.e. the "City," paragraph excellence, of the god Amon; translated in the King James Version "populous No," following the Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) in a misunderstanding of the word 'amon; the Revised Version (British and American) "No-amon"): Occurs in this form only in Nahum 3:8, but 'amon minno', "Amon of No," occurs in Jeremiah 46:25. Compare also Ezekiel 30:14-16, where no', is undoubtedly the same city. Strong's Hebrew 528. Amon -- an Eg. god... Definition: Amon. Word Origin of foreign origin Definition an Eg. god NASB Word Usage Amon (1), No-amon* (1). multitude, populous. Of ... /hebrew/528.htm - 6k 4996. No -- an Eg. city Library Nahum Nahum's Doom of Nineveh The Twelve Minor Prophets. Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC ) The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal Thesaurus Noamon... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia NO-AMON. no-a'-mon (no' 'amon, Egyptian nut, "a city," with the feminine ending t, and Amon, proper ... /n/noamon.htm - 7k No-amon (1 Occurrence) No (18543 Occurrences) Nob (6 Occurrences) No-ammon (1 Occurrence) Rampart (9 Occurrences) Earthwork (7 Occurrences) Put (13688 Occurrences) Consisted (6 Occurrences) Amon (20 Occurrences) Resources Summary of the Book of Nahum - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.orgWho was King Josiah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Who were the kings of Israel and Judah? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance No-amon (1 Occurrence)Nahum 3:8 Subtopics Related Terms |