Pathros, a region in Upper Egypt, is mentioned in the Bible as a place where Jewish captives were settled. The name "Pathros" is derived from the Egyptian term "Pa-to-ris," meaning "the land of the south." This area is historically significant as it was part of the ancient Egyptian civilization, known for its rich cultural and political history.

Biblical References:

The presence of Jewish captives in Pathros is primarily noted in the prophetic literature of the Old Testament. The prophet Jeremiah provides a vivid account of the Jewish community in Egypt, including Pathros, following the Babylonian conquest of Judah. In Jeremiah 44:1, the prophet addresses the Jewish exiles living in various parts of Egypt, including Pathros: "This is the word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews living in the land of Egypt—in Migdol, Tahpanhes, and Memphis—and in the land of Pathros."

Jeremiah's message to the Jewish captives in Pathros is one of warning and admonition. The prophet rebukes them for their idolatry and disobedience to the covenant with Yahweh. In Jeremiah 44:15-16, the people respond defiantly to Jeremiah's warnings, indicating their continued worship of the "Queen of Heaven," a practice that had persisted despite their exile: "Then all the men who knew that their wives were burning incense to other gods, along with all the women standing by—a great assembly—and all the people living in the land of Egypt and in Pathros, said to Jeremiah, 'As for the word you spoke to us in the name of the LORD, we will not listen to you!'"

Historical Context:

The settlement of Jewish captives in Pathros can be traced back to the aftermath of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Many Jews fled to Egypt seeking refuge from the destruction and turmoil in their homeland. This migration was against the counsel of Jeremiah, who had warned them to remain in Judah and submit to Babylonian rule as part of God's plan for their eventual restoration.

Pathros, being part of Upper Egypt, was a logical destination for these exiles due to its distance from the immediate reach of Babylonian power and its established Jewish communities. The Jewish presence in Egypt, including Pathros, is further corroborated by archaeological findings and historical records, which indicate a significant Jewish diaspora in the region during this period.

Theological Implications:

The narrative of Jewish captives in Pathros serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of disobedience to God's commands. The exile in Egypt, including the settlement in Pathros, is depicted as a direct result of the people's failure to heed prophetic warnings and maintain their covenantal obligations. This period of exile underscores the themes of judgment and repentance that are prevalent throughout the prophetic books.

Moreover, the experience of the Jewish captives in Pathros highlights the enduring faithfulness of God, who continues to reach out to His people even in foreign lands. Despite their rebellion, the prophetic messages delivered to the exiles in Egypt reflect God's desire for their return to Him and the restoration of their relationship.

Conclusion:

The account of Jewish captives in Pathros is a significant episode in the biblical narrative, illustrating the complex interplay of judgment, exile, and divine mercy. It serves as a historical and theological touchstone for understanding the broader context of Jewish life in the diaspora and the enduring covenant between God and His people.Isaiah 11:11
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.
Nave's Topical Index

Jeremiah 44:1,15
The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews which dwell in the land of Egypt, which dwell at Migdol, and at Tahpanhes, and at Noph, and in the country of Pathros, saying,
Nave's Topical Index

Ezekiel 29:14
And I will bring again the captivity of Egypt, and will cause them to return into the land of Pathros, into the land of their habitation; and they shall be there a base kingdom.
Nave's Topical Index

Chapter i.
... BC, may have carried into Egypt captives or hostages ... of Gedaliah drove a host of
Jewish fugitives to ... Daphne) [11] , Noph (Memphis), and Pathros (Pathoure) [12 ...
/.../an introduction to the old testament in greek additional notes/chapter i.htm

And After. (xxx, xxxi, xxxix-Xliv. )
... Johanan-ben-Kareah, and his captives were recovered ... frontier, and in the land of
Pathros, or Upper ... experiences must have stirred the Jewish communities already ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/4 and after xxx xxxi.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... The reign of fifty-five years attributed to Manasseh by the Jewish annalists cannot
be fitted into the chronology of the period; we must either take off ten ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

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