Pathros
“The South land (from Egyptian Pa-ta-res)”
Summary
Pathros is the Hebrew designation for Upper Egypt (the Thebais), the southern region of ancient Egypt from which God promised to gather scattered Israelites and which is identified as the original homeland of the Egyptian people.
☩Identification and Location
Pathros is the Hebrew form of the Egyptian name Pa-ta-res, meaning 'the South land,' designating Upper Egypt or the Thebais region. The district corresponds to the Pathyrite nome in which Thebes was situated, extending southward from Lower Egypt into the territory anciently called Egypt proper. Some scholars have connected the name with Ha-Hat-Her, 'the Abode of Hathor' (the Egyptian Venus), suggesting the word derived from a town name in the region. The Pathrusim, descendants of Mizraim who populated this region, appear in the Table of Nations among the peoples deriving from Egypt.
☩Historical Significance
The Thebais (Upper Egypt) was probably inhabited before the rest of Egypt, supporting the identification of Pathros as 'the land of their habitation' for the Egyptians. Tradition represented the Egyptian people as coming from Ethiopia, and the first dynasty consisted of Thinite kings from this southern region. Originally independent of lower Egypt and ruled by its own kings, Pathros was anciently called 'Egypt' by Greek writers including Aristotle and Herodotus. This explains Ezekiel's reference to Pathros as 'the land of their birth' when speaking of Egypt's origin.
☩Jewish Settlements
After Jerusalem's destruction by Nebuchadnezzar, many Jews fled to Egypt and settled in various locations including Pathros. Jeremiah addressed Jews dwelling 'at Migdol, at Tahpanhes, at Noph, and in the country of Pathros.' When the prophet warned them against idolatry, 'all the people that dwelt in the land of Egypt, in Pathros' answered defiantly, declaring their intention to continue burning incense to the queen of heaven. These settlements represented the southern extent of Jewish diaspora communities in Egypt during the Babylonian period.
☩Prophetic References
Isaiah prophesies God's future gathering of Israel 'from Mizraim, from Pathros, and from Cush,' the expression comprehensively covering all of Egypt. Ezekiel speaks of Egypt's captives returning to Pathros, 'the land of their habitation,' and pronounces judgment on the region alongside Egyptian cities including Noph, Zoan, No, Sin, Aven, Pi-beseth, and Tehaphnehes. These prophecies use Pathros to represent Egypt's heartland—when Thebes is especially intended—while distinguishing it from the northern regions and Delta cities.
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Pathros," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Pathros," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Pathros," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 4.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Pathros," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).