Topical Bible: Egypt: The Armies of Captured and Burned Gezer

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical narrative, Egypt plays a significant role as a powerful nation often interacting with the Israelites. One notable event involving Egypt is the capture and burning of the city of Gezer. This event is briefly mentioned in the context of King Solomon's reign and his marriage alliance with Pharaoh's daughter.

Historical Context

Gezer was a strategically located Canaanite city-state in the Shephelah region of ancient Israel. It held significant military and trade importance due to its position on the route between Egypt and Mesopotamia. The city is mentioned multiple times in the Old Testament, often in the context of territorial disputes and conquests.

Biblical Account

The account of Egypt's involvement with Gezer is found in 1 Kings 9:16: "Pharaoh king of Egypt had attacked and captured Gezer. He had set it on fire, killed the Canaanites who lived there, and then given it as a dowry to his daughter, Solomon’s wife" . This passage highlights the political and military dynamics of the time, where marriage alliances were often used to secure peace and strengthen ties between powerful nations.

Significance of the Event

1. Political Alliance: The marriage between Solomon and Pharaoh's daughter was a strategic alliance that symbolized peace and cooperation between Israel and Egypt. By giving Gezer as a dowry, Pharaoh not only demonstrated his power but also solidified the alliance with Solomon.

2. Military Strategy: The capture and destruction of Gezer by the Egyptian army underscore Egypt's military prowess and its influence over the region. By eliminating the Canaanite presence in Gezer, Egypt secured a key location that could potentially threaten its interests or those of its allies.

3. Cultural and Religious Implications: The integration of Gezer into Israelite territory, facilitated by the Egyptian conquest, also had cultural and religious implications. It reflects the complex interactions between the Israelites and their neighbors, including the influence of foreign powers on Israel's political landscape.

4. Archaeological Evidence: Archaeological excavations at Gezer have uncovered evidence of destruction layers that align with the biblical account of its burning. These findings provide historical corroboration of the biblical narrative and offer insights into the city's significance during the period.

Theological Reflections

From a theological perspective, the event illustrates the sovereignty of God over the nations and His ability to use international politics to fulfill His purposes for Israel. The alliance with Egypt, while politically advantageous, also served as a reminder of the potential spiritual pitfalls of foreign influences, as later events in Solomon's reign would reveal.

The capture and burning of Gezer by the Egyptian armies, therefore, is a multifaceted event that highlights the interplay of politics, military strategy, and divine providence in the biblical narrative.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 9:16
For Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up, and taken Gezer, and burnt it with fire, and slain the Canaanites that dwelled in the city, and given it for a present to his daughter, Solomon's wife.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Egypt
... The names of the captured cities of Palestine are ... endeavoured in vain to play off
Assyria against Egypt. Again and again the Egyptian armies were defeated on ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter v egypt.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... Egypt was maintaining, therefore, its ascendency, or at least appearing to maintain
it ... that another power had risen up alongside them whose armies were strong ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

The Israelites
... children, partly of stragglers from the armies of the ... Edom, who, though they came
to Egypt seeking pasturage ... Jerusalem was not captured till the reign of David ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... head of his own contingent.* Their armies were made ... caravans was considerable, for
although Egypt had ceased ... his youngest brother Othniel, who captured the city ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm