Overview:
Tanis, known in the Hebrew Bible as Zoan, is an ancient city located in the northeastern Nile Delta of Egypt. It holds significant historical and biblical importance, particularly in the context of the Exodus narrative and the period of Israelite sojourn in Egypt.

Biblical References:
Tanis is referred to as Zoan in the Bible. It is mentioned in several passages, highlighting its prominence during the time of the Exodus. In Psalm 78:12, the psalmist recounts the wonders God performed in Egypt, stating, "He worked wonders before their fathers in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan." This verse underscores the city's role as a backdrop for the miraculous events that led to the liberation of the Israelites.

Psalm 78:43 further emphasizes this, "when He performed His signs in Egypt and His wonders in the fields of Zoan." These references suggest that Tanis was a central location during the period of the plagues and the subsequent Exodus.

Historical Context:
Tanis served as a significant political and cultural center in ancient Egypt. It became the capital of Egypt during the 21st and 22nd Dynasties, a period known as the Third Intermediate Period (circa 1070–712 BC). The city's strategic location in the Nile Delta made it an important hub for trade and military activities.

Archaeological excavations have revealed that Tanis was a city of considerable size and wealth, with impressive temples and royal tombs. The city's ruins, including the remnants of the Great Temple of Amun, reflect its historical grandeur.

Theological Significance:
From a theological perspective, Tanis (Zoan) is significant as it represents the power and might of Egypt, which God challenged and overcame through the plagues and the Exodus. The city's mention in the Psalms serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His ability to deliver His people from oppression.

The narrative of the Exodus, with Tanis as a focal point, is central to the identity of the Israelites as a people chosen and redeemed by God. It underscores themes of liberation, divine intervention, and covenant faithfulness, which are foundational to the biblical narrative.

Cultural and Archaeological Insights:
The archaeological findings at Tanis provide valuable insights into the culture and religion of ancient Egypt. The city's temples and artifacts reflect the religious practices and beliefs of the time, including the worship of deities such as Amun, Mut, and Khonsu.

The discovery of royal tombs, including those of Pharaohs Psusennes I and Shoshenq II, has shed light on the burial customs and artistry of the period. These findings contribute to our understanding of the historical context in which the biblical events unfolded.

Conclusion:
While Tanis is not frequently mentioned in the Bible, its role as Zoan in the Exodus narrative and its historical significance as a major Egyptian city make it an important topic of study for understanding the biblical account and the broader historical and cultural context of the ancient Near East.(Ezek. 30:14, marg.). See ZOAN. TANIS

ta'-nis (Tanis (Judith 1:10)).

See ZOAN.

The Angel of Death
... the length and breadth of Israel and found Rachel not, he led his horse from the
distant meadow, where he had been pastured, and turned his head toward Tanis. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xli the angel of.htm

The Heir Intervenes
... At Tanis, the next day after the arrival of Meneptah, there came a messenger from
Thebes to Hotep, and the royal scribe retired to his apartments to read the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxvii the heir intervenes.htm

To the Beloved Brother, and Our Fellow Minister Serapion.
... In Tanis in the stead of Elias [4356] , is Theodorus. ... [4356] Larsow writes Ilius.'
Tanis is situate in Augustamnica Prima. Vid. Quatrem??re M??moires geogr. ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/xii probably for 340 a d to.htm

The First-Born
... the palace. The outer chamber had a window opening on the streets of Tanis,
the inner looked into the palace courtyard. Masanath ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xl the first-born.htm

Before Egypt's Throne
... CHAPTER XXXIX BEFORE EGYPT'S THRONE. The distance by highway between Memphis and
Tanis was eighty miles, a little more than two days' journey by horseback. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxix before egypts throne.htm

Light after Darkness
... A little boy, innocent of raiment, stood before a new tomb, opposite Tanis and awaited
his father who labored within. ... "To Tanis, eight months since!". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxv light after darkness.htm

The Traitors
... Seti was not far from his destination, an obscure village of image-makers directly
south of Tanis and situated on the northern border of Goshen. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxviii the traitors.htm

Expatriation
... By steady riding he could reach Tanis shortly, but once within the capital of the
Pharaoh, he was near to Har-hat and within reach of the fan-bearer's potent ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xlii expatriation.htm

He Proves against Trypho that the Wicked Angels have Revolted from ...
... this exposition, which you reprehend, I shall give you evidence from Isaiah himself;
for he affirms that evil angels have dwelt and do dwell in Tanis, in Egypt ...
/.../chapter lxxix he proves against trypho.htm

The Promised Land
... of the father. Kenkenes was not dead, only absent, as he would have been
had he lived in Tanis or Thebes. Furthermore, the young ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xlvii the promised land.htm

Tanis
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Ezek. 30:14, marg.). See ZOAN. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. TANIS. ta'-nis (Tanis (Judith 1:10)). See ZOAN. ...
/t/tanis.htm - 6k

Zoan (7 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Old Egypt. Sant= "stronghold, " the modern San). A city
on the Tanitic branch of the Nile, called by the Greeks Tanis. ...
/z/zoan.htm - 17k

Hanes (1 Occurrence)
... The language of Isaiah, "Their ambassadors came to Hanes," certainly seems
to indicate a place in the direction of Jerusalem from Tanis. ...
/h/hanes.htm - 9k

Goshen (16 Occurrences)
... simply "Goshen" (46:28), and "the land of Rameses" (47:11; Exodus 12:37), for the
towns Pithom and Rameses lay within its borders; also Zoan or Tanis (Psalm 78 ...
/g/goshen.htm - 19k

Tanned (7 Occurrences)

/t/tanned.htm - 8k

Tanhu'meth (2 Occurrences)
Tanhu'meth. Tanhumeth, Tanhu'meth. Tanis . Multi-Version Concordance
Tanhu'meth (2 Occurrences). ... (See RSV). Tanhumeth, Tanhu'meth. Tanis . Reference
/t/tanhu'meth.htm - 7k

Pithom (1 Occurrence)
... half-way on the great road from Pelusium to Tanis (Zoan), and this indication given
on the authority of the itineraries furnishes the sole means of fixing its ...
/p/pithom.htm - 12k

Pain (172 Occurrences)
... 30:23; compare Jeremiah 30:5, 6). In Ezekiel 30:4, it is the penal affliction of
Ethiopia, and in 30:16, the King James Version "Sin (Tanis) shall have great ...
/p/pain.htm - 43k

Pharaoh (245 Occurrences)
... their king or chief Hyk, and hence the name of those invaders who conquered the
native kings and established a strong government, with Zoan or Tanis as their ...
/p/pharaoh.htm - 60k

Hebron (71 Occurrences)
... Hebron is said to have been rounded before Zoan (ie Tanis) in Egypt (Numbers
13:22); its ancient name was Kiriath-arba, probably meaning the "Four Cities ...
/h/hebron.htm - 41k

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