Syene, known in modern times as Aswan, is an ancient city located in the southern part of Egypt, near the First Cataract of the Nile River. It holds significant historical and biblical importance, particularly in the context of prophetic literature. Syene is mentioned in the Bible in the book of Ezekiel, where it serves as a geographical marker in prophecies concerning Egypt.

Biblical References:

The primary biblical reference to Syene is found in the book of Ezekiel. In Ezekiel 29:10, the prophet declares God's judgment against Egypt, stating: "therefore I am against you and against your streams, and I will make the land of Egypt a ruin and a desolation, from Migdol to Syene, as far as the border of Cush." . This passage highlights Syene as the southern boundary of Egypt, emphasizing the extent of the desolation prophesied by Ezekiel.

Ezekiel 30:6 also mentions Syene in the context of God's judgment: "This is what the LORD says: Those who support Egypt will fall, and her proud strength will collapse. From Migdol to Syene they will fall by the sword within her, declares the Lord GOD." . Here, Syene is again used to delineate the scope of the divine judgment pronounced upon Egypt.

Historical and Geographical Context:

Syene was a significant city in ancient Egypt, serving as a military and trade outpost due to its strategic location near the Nile's First Cataract. It was a gateway to the African interior and played a crucial role in commerce and defense. The city was known for its granite quarries, which supplied stone for many of Egypt's monuments and temples.

In biblical times, Syene's position at the southern extremity of Egypt made it a natural point of reference for describing the full extent of the land. The mention of Syene in Ezekiel's prophecies underscores the comprehensive nature of the judgment against Egypt, from its northernmost to its southernmost points.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the mention of Syene in the prophecies of Ezekiel serves to illustrate the sovereignty and power of God over nations. The prophecies against Egypt, including the reference to Syene, demonstrate that no part of the land would be exempt from divine judgment. This reflects the biblical theme of God's authority over all creation and His ability to execute justice according to His will.

The use of Syene as a boundary marker in these prophecies also highlights the precision and specificity of God's word through His prophets. It serves as a reminder of the historical reality of biblical events and the fulfillment of God's promises and warnings throughout history.

Archaeological Insights:

Modern archaeological studies in Aswan have uncovered significant insights into the ancient city of Syene. Excavations have revealed remnants of its fortifications, temples, and quarries, providing a glimpse into its historical significance and daily life. These findings corroborate the biblical depiction of Syene as a prominent and fortified city during the time of Ezekiel.

The granite quarries of Syene, known for producing the famous Aswan granite, were instrumental in the construction of many ancient Egyptian structures, including obelisks and statues. This further emphasizes the city's importance in the ancient world and its role in the broader narrative of Egyptian history.

In summary, Syene, as referenced in the Bible, serves as a testament to the historical and prophetic dimensions of Scripture. Its mention in the book of Ezekiel underscores the comprehensive nature of divine judgment and the fulfillment of God's word, while its archaeological and historical context enriches our understanding of its significance in the ancient world.Syene

a bush; enmity

Syene

properly Seventh a town of Egypt, on the frontier of Cush or Ethiopia, (Ezekiel 29:10; 30:6) represented by the present Aruan or Es-Suan.

Syene

A city on the southern frontiers of Egypt, towards Ethiopia, between Thebes and the cataracts of the Nile, and now called Assouan. Pliny says it stands in a peninsula on the eastern shore of the Nile; that is was mile in circumference, and had a Rome garrison. "From Migdol," the tower, "unto Syene," denotes the whole length of Egypt from north to south, Ezekiel 29:10; 30:6. Few remains of the ancient city are now extant. In its vicinity are quarries of the Egyptian granite called Syenite, which furnished the material for numerous obelisks and colossal statues.

Opening (Ezek. 29:10; 30:6), a town of Egypt, on the borders of Ethiopia, now called Assouan, on the right bank of the Nile, notable for its quarries of beautiful red granite called "syenite." It was the frontier town of Egypt in the south, as Migdol was in the north-east. SYENE

si-e'-ne.

See SEVENEH.

TOWER OF SYENE

si-e'-ne.

See SEVENEH.

5482. Cveneh -- a city on the S. border of Egypt
... 5481, 5482. Cveneh. 5482a . a city on the S. border of Egypt. Transliteration:
Cveneh Phonetic Spelling: (sev-ay-nay') Short Definition: Syene. Syene ...
/hebrew/5482.htm - 5k

5482a. Seveneh -- a city on the S. border of Egypt
... a city on the S. border of Egypt. Transliteration: Seveneh or Sevenah or Seven Short
Definition: Syene. ... NASB Word Usage Syene (2). 5482, 5482a. ...
/hebrew/5482a.htm - 5k

The Exchange for One's Life.
... [5734] And in Isaiah it is said to Israel, "I gave Ethiopia in exchange for thee,
and Egypt and Syene for thee; from what time thou hast become honourable ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/28 the exchange for ones.htm

No Forgiveness to the Unforgiving.
... mother" [6134] of Paul and of those like unto him, so there may be a mother of others
after the analogy of Jerusalem, the mother, for example, of Syene in Egypt ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/13 no forgiveness to the.htm

The Procession of Amen
... Besides her own inhabitants there were thousands from the entire extent of
the Thebaid and visitors even from far-away Syene and Philae. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter iv the procession of.htm

Light after Darkness
... CHAPTER XXXV LIGHT AFTER DARKNESS. A water-carrier in Syene was carrying a yoke
across his shoulders and the great earthen jars swung ponderously as he walked. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxv light after darkness.htm

Back to Memphis
... From Syene to Pelusium the country was ramified with canals, and vast sums
and great labor were expended yearly upon their keeping. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxiii back to memphis.htm

"There was Also an Illustrious Name of Another Anchorite in those ...
... "There was also an illustrious name of another anchorite in those regions, a
man who dwelt in that part of the desert which is about Syene. ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xvi there was also.htm

Early Years of his Episcopate. The Anti-Nicene Reaction, 328-335.
... We learn from the life of Pachomius (on which see below, p.189), that he penetrated
as far as Syene on the Ethiopian frontier, and, as he passed Tabenne, was ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/section 4 early years of.htm

Dawn in the Hills
... I am old enough to have learned by this time not to trust my success to any man
but myself. Now where am I to look for him"Ephesus, Syene, Gaul, Medea? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter vi dawn in the.htm

The Evil and Daring Deeds done by Georgius in Alexandria.
... 615.) Dracontius, to whom Athanasius addressed a letter, went to the deserts about
Clysma (25 msw of Suez), and Hierax and Dioscorus to Syene (Assouan (Hist. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xi the evil and daring.htm

The Fan-Bearer's Quest
... He ransacked Pa-Ramesu and the brick-fields, Silsilis, Syene, where there were quarries,
and especially Thebes, which was large and remote, a tempting place ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxii the fan-bearers quest.htm

Syene (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SYENE. si-e'-ne. See SEVENEH. TOWER OF SYENE.
si-e'-ne. See SEVENEH. Multi-Version Concordance Syene (4 Occurrences). ...
/s/syene.htm - 8k

Migdol (6 Occurrences)
... 29:10, but the margin correctly retains the name Migdol, "from Migdol to Syene;"
ie, from Migdol in the north to Syene in the south, in other words, the whole ...
/m/migdol.htm - 12k

Dispersion (4 Occurrences)
... of Dispersion 4. Extent of Dispersion 5. The Eastern Dispersion 6. The Egyptian
Dispersion 7. Testimony of Aramaic Papyri 8. Jewish Temple at Syene 9. Theories ...
/d/dispersion.htm - 44k

Seveneh (2 Occurrences)
... se-ven'-e, se-ve'-ne (ceweneh): For the King James Version "the tower of Syene,"
in Ezekiel 29:10; Ezekiel 30:6, the Revised Version (British and American ...
/s/seveneh.htm - 7k

Ethiopia (26 Occurrences)
... Cush is rendered (Genesis 2:13; 2 Kings 19:9; Esther 1:1; Job 28:19; Psalm 68:31;
87:4), a country which lay to the south of Egypt, beginning at Syene on the ...
/e/ethiopia.htm - 45k

Symbol (8 Occurrences)

/s/symbol.htm - 9k

Cush (31 Occurrences)
... 4. The Ethiopian Cush: (3) The well-known country of Cush or Ethiopia, from Syene
(Ezekiel 29:10) southward-Egyptian Kos, Babylonian Kusu, Assyrian Kusu. ...
/c/cush.htm - 25k

Onrush (2 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Ezekiel 30:16 And I will put a fire in Egypt; Syene will be twisting in pain,
and No will be broken into, as by the onrush of waters. (BBE). ...
/o/onrush.htm - 7k

Wasteness (4 Occurrences)
... behold, I am against thee, and against thy rivers, and I will make the land of Egypt
deserts of wasteness and desolation, from Migdol to Syene, even unto the ...
/w/wasteness.htm - 7k

Images (158 Occurrences)
... as is proved not only from the description of Solomon's temple, but also from the
discoveries of the highly decorated temple of Yahweh at Syene dating from the ...
/i/images.htm - 70k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus