Gaza(azzah)
“Strong or fortress”
Summary
One of the five chief cities of the Philistines, located on the great trade route between Egypt and Syria, famous as the site of Samson's final act and later visited by Philip.
☩Location and Importance
Gaza (Hebrew 'Azzah,' meaning 'strong') was the southernmost of the five Philistine cities, situated about 40 miles south of Jaffa and approximately 3 miles from the Mediterranean coast. Its strategic position on the frontier between Syria and Egypt, along the great caravan route, made it a place of commercial and military importance throughout ancient history. The city was built on a hill rising 60 to 200 feet above the surrounding fertile plain.
☩Samson at Gaza
Gaza is most famous in Scripture for its association with Samson. He visited the city, and when the Gazites planned to ambush him, he arose at midnight and carried away the city gates to a hill before Hebron. Later, after being betrayed by Delilah, Samson was blinded by the Philistines and brought to Gaza to grind in the prison house. At a great feast to Dagon, he was brought out for entertainment, but pulling down the supporting pillars, he destroyed the temple and killed more Philistines in his death than in his life.
☩Later History
Solomon's kingdom extended to Gaza, marking Israel's southwestern boundary. The prophets pronounced divine judgment against the city for its participation in the slave trade with Edom. Alexander the Great besieged Gaza for five months before capturing it, demonstrating its strength as a fortress. The city was later rebuilt and remained significant through New Testament times.
☩Philip and the Ethiopian
In the New Testament, Gaza is mentioned in connection with Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch. An angel directed Philip to 'go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.' This likely refers to the road being relatively unpopulated rather than the city itself being deserted. On this road, Philip met and baptized the Ethiopian official who was returning from worshiping in Jerusalem.
Related Verses23 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Gaza," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Gaza," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Gaza," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 4.George Morrish, "Gaza," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).