Gaza

Biblical References

Gaza is a city mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments. The principal passages are as follows.

• The border of Canaan: Genesis 10:19 describes the border of the Canaanites as extending "from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza." Deuteronomy 2:23 records that the Caphtorim destroyed the Avim, who lived in the region as far as Gaza (KJV "Azzah"), and settled in their place.
• The conquest period: According to Joshua 11:22, the Anakim remained only in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod. Judges 1:18 states that Judah took Gaza. The Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament), however, is known to read this verse as saying that Judah did not take the city.
• The Samson narrative: Samson pulled up the doors and posts of the city gate of Gaza and carried them to the top of a hill before Hebron (Judges 16:1–3). After his capture, his eyes were put out and he was made to grind at the mill in the prison at Gaza; in the end he brought down the temple of Dagon and died (Judges 16:21–30).
• The monarchy period: When the Philistines returned the Ark of the Covenant, they sent trespass offerings on behalf of their five cities, Gaza among them (1 Samuel 6:17). The extent of Solomon's rule is described as "from Tiphsah even to Azzah" (1 Kings 4:24), and Hezekiah struck the Philistines as far as Gaza (2 Kings 18:8).
• The Prophets: Amos 1:6–7 pronounces judgment on Gaza for having delivered captive peoples to Edom. Prophecies of judgment against Gaza also appear in Jeremiah 47:1, Zephaniah 2:4, and Zechariah 9:5.
• The New Testament: In Acts 8:26 an angel of the Lord tells Philip to "go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza," and on that road Philip meets and baptizes the Ethiopian eunuch.

Background

Gaza was the southernmost of the five Philistine cities: Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron. Situated on the coastal route linking Egypt with Syria and Mesopotamia, it was important both militarily and commercially. Its Hebrew name, Azzah, is commonly interpreted to mean "strong" or "fortified." The modern city of Gaza lies in the same region, although scholars differ on the precise location of the ancient city and on how it changed over successive periods.

Significance in Scripture as a Whole

In the Old Testament, Gaza appears chiefly as a Philistine stronghold opposed to Israel, and it is accordingly among the Gentile cities against which God's prophecies of judgment are directed. In the New Testament, the road leading to the same region becomes the setting in which the gospel is brought to a Gentile. On this basis, many interpreters connect the episode with the spread of the gospel "unto the uttermost part of the earth" in Acts 1:8.

Interpretation and Debated Points

Interpreters differ over the referent of the phrase "which is desert" in Acts 8:26. Those who take it to refer to the road understand it to mean a lonely, little-traveled route. Others hold that it refers to the desolate state of the old city of Gaza. Korean translations generally render the phrase as referring to the road.

In the Korean Church

Acts 8, in which Philip obeys the instruction to go to a deserted wilderness road, is frequently cited in sermons on obedience and evangelism. Samson's experiences at Gaza commonly serve as a text for sermons on failure and restoration.