Etymology and Meaning:
Azzah is the Hebrew name for the city more commonly known as Gaza. The name "Azzah" means "strong" or "fortress," reflecting its historical significance as a fortified city.

Biblical References:
Azzah, or Gaza, is mentioned several times in the Bible, primarily in the context of its role as a Philistine city. It is one of the five principal cities of the Philistines, along with Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron, and Gath.

1. Judges 16:1-3 : Azzah is notably mentioned in the account of Samson. "One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute and went in to spend the night with her. When the Gazites heard that Samson was there, they surrounded the place and lay in wait for him all night at the city gate. They kept quiet all night, saying, 'Let us wait until dawn; then we will kill him.' But Samson lay there only until the middle of the night. Then he got up and took hold of the doors of the city gate, along with the two gateposts, and pulled them out, bar and all. He lifted them onto his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron."

2. Joshua 15:47 : Azzah is listed as part of the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah. "Ashdod, its towns and villages; Gaza, its towns and villages, as far as the Brook of Egypt and the coastline of the Great Sea."

3. 1 Samuel 6:17 : Azzah is mentioned in the context of the Philistine cities that returned the Ark of the Covenant to Israel. "As a guilt offering to the LORD, the Philistines sent back one gold tumor for each city: Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron."

4. Zephaniah 2:4 : The prophet Zephaniah prophesies judgment against Azzah. "For Gaza will be abandoned, and Ashkelon will lie in ruins. At midday Ashdod will be deserted, and Ekron will be uprooted."

Historical and Geographical Context:
Azzah, or Gaza, is located in the southwestern part of the land of Canaan, near the Mediterranean Sea. It served as a significant trade and military hub due to its strategic location on the coastal route between Egypt and the Levant. Throughout its history, Azzah was a focal point of conflict between various empires and peoples, including the Egyptians, Israelites, Assyrians, and Babylonians.

Cultural and Religious Significance:
As a Philistine city, Azzah was a center of Philistine culture and religion, which often stood in opposition to the worship of Yahweh by the Israelites. The Philistines were known for their worship of deities such as Dagon and Baal, and their cities, including Azzah, were often targets of Israelite military campaigns.

Theological Implications:
The biblical narrative often portrays Azzah as a symbol of opposition to God's people, representing the challenges and conflicts faced by the Israelites in their quest to inhabit the Promised Land. The accounts involving Azzah, such as those of Samson, highlight themes of divine strength and deliverance, as well as the consequences of disobedience and sin.

Archaeological Insights:
Modern archaeological excavations in the region of ancient Gaza have uncovered evidence of its historical significance, including fortifications, artifacts, and inscriptions that provide insight into its role as a major Philistine city. These findings corroborate the biblical accounts of Azzah's prominence and its interactions with neighboring cultures and peoples.Azzah

(the strong). The more accurate rendering of the name of the well-known Philistine city Gaza. (2:23; 1 Kings 4:24; Jeremiah 25:20)

Azzah

The same as GAZA.

AZZAH

az'-a (`azzah, "strong"): the King James Version form (Deuteronomy 2:23 1 Kings 4:24 Jeremiah 25:20) for the Revised Version (British and American) "Gaza."

1048. Gaza -- Gaza, a Philistine city
... Word Origin of Hebrew origin Azzah Definition Gaza, a Philistine city NASB Word
Usage Gaza (1). Gaza. ... see HEBREW Azzah. (gazan) -- 1 Occurrence. 1047, 1048. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1048.htm - 6k5804. Azzah -- a Philistine city
... 5803, 5804. Azzah. 5804a . a Philistine city. Transliteration: Azzah Phonetic
Spelling: (az-zaw') Short Definition: Azzah. Azzah, Gaza ...
/hebrew/5804.htm - 5k

5804a. Azzah -- a Philistine city
... 5804, 5804a. Azzah. 5804b . a Philistine city. Transliteration: Azzah Short
Definition: Gaza. ... 5804, 5804a. Azzah. 5804b . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5804a.htm - 5k

5841. Azzathi -- inhab. of Gaza
... Word Origin from Azzah Definition inhab. ... Gazathite, Gazite. Patrial from Azzah; an
Azzathite or inhabitant of Azzah -- Gazathite, Gazite. see HEBREW Azzah. ...
/hebrew/5841.htm - 6k

Azzah (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia AZZAH. az'-a (`azzah, "strong ... American) "Gaza.".
Multi-Version Concordance Azzah (4 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 2 ...
/a/azzah.htm - 8k

Gaza (22 Occurrences)
... Called also Azzah, which is its Hebrew name (Deuteronomy 2:23; 1 Kings 4:24; Jeremiah
25:20), strong, a city on the Mediterranean shore, remarkable for its ...
/g/gaza.htm - 19k

Naaran (1 Occurrence)
... possessions and habitations were Bethel and its towns, and eastward Naaran, and
westward Gezer, with its towns; Shechem also and its towns, to Azzah and its ...
/n/naaran.htm - 7k

Na'aran (1 Occurrence)
... possessions and habitations were Bethel and its towns, and eastward Naaran, and
westward Gezer, with its towns; Shechem also and its towns, to Azzah and its ...
/n/na'aran.htm - 6k

Living-places (17 Occurrences)
... its daughter-towns, and Naaran to the east, and Gezer to the west, with its
daughter-towns, as well as Shechem and its daughter-towns as far as Azzah and its ...
/l/living-places.htm - 12k

Included (17 Occurrences)
... possessions and habitations were Bethel and its towns, and eastward Naaran, and
westward Gezer, with its towns; Shechem also and its towns, to Azzah and its ...
/i/included.htm - 11k

Daughter-towns (17 Occurrences)
... its daughter-towns, and Naaran to the east, and Gezer to the west, with its
daughter-towns, as well as Shechem and its daughter-towns as far as Azzah and its ...
/d/daughter-towns.htm - 12k

Caphtorims (1 Occurrence)
... Deuteronomy 2:23 And the Avims which dwelt in Hazerim, even unto Azzah, the Caphtorims,
which came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their ...
/c/caphtorims.htm - 6k

Ayyah (1 Occurrence)
... possessions and habitations were Bethel and its towns, and eastward Naaran, and
westward Gezer, with its towns; Shechem also and its towns, to Azzah and its ...
/a/ayyah.htm - 6k

Avims (1 Occurrence)
... Deuteronomy 2:23 And the Avims which dwelt in Hazerim, even unto Azzah, the Caphtorims,
which came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their ...
/a/avims.htm - 6k

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