Bible Encyclopedia: Migdol

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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

MIGDOL

mig'-dol, mig'-dol (mighdol; Magdolon): This name ("the tower") is applied to two places on the east frontier of Egypt.

1. Exodus 14:2; Numbers 33:7:

In Exodus 14:2 Numbers 33:7, the Hebrew camp, on the march from Etham after they had "turned" (apparently to the South), is defined as `facing Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baal-zephon.' It is thus to be sought (see EXODUS) West of the Bitter Lakes, and may have been a watchtower on the spur of Jebel 'Ataqah. Israel was supposed to be "entangled in the land," and shut in in the "wilderness," between this range and the Bitter Lakes, then forming the head of the Red Sea. The exact site is unknown. In about 385 A.D., Silvia, traveling from Clysma (Suez), was shown the sites above mentioned on her way to Heroopolis, but none of these names now survive.

2. Jeremiah 44:1; 46:14:

In Jeremiah 44:1; Jeremiah 46:14, a Migdol is noticed with Memphis, and with Tahpanhes Septuagint "Taphnas"), this latter being supposed to be the Daphnai of Greek writers, now Tell Defeneh, West of Qantarah. The same place is probably intended in Ezekiel 29:10; Ezekiel 30:6 (compare 30:15-18), the borders of Egypt being defined as reaching "from Migdol to Syene" (see the Revised Version margin), as understood by the Septuagint translators. The Antonine Itinerary places Migdol 12 miles South of Pelusium, and the site appears to have been at or near Tell es Samut, the Egyptian name, according to Brugsch (Hist, II, 351), being Samut. This Migdol was thus apparently a "watchtower" on the main road along the coast from Palestine, which is called (Exodus 13:17) "the way of the land of the Philistines," entering Egypt near Daphnai.

These Sites Not Identical.

We are specially told that this was not the route taken at the exodus, and this Migdol cannot therefore be the same as (1), though Brugsch, in consequence of a theory as to the exodus which has not been accepted by other scholars, has confused the two sites, as apparently does the Antonine Itinerary when placing Pithom on the same route leading to Zoan. Brugsch (Geography, III, 19) supposes the Egyptian town name Pa-Ma'kal (with the determinative for "wall" added) to stand for Migdol, but the prefix "Pa-" ("city") seems to show that this word is purely native, and not Semitic, to say nothing of philological objections. This town may, however, have lain in the required direction, according to a scribe's report of the time of Seti II (or about 1230 B.C.).

As much confusion has been created by quoting this report as illustrative of the exodus, the actual words according to Brugsch's translation may be given (History, II, 132): "I set out from the hall of the royal palace on the 9th day of Epiphi, in the evening, after the two servants. I arrived at the fortress Thuku (T-k-u) on the 10th of Epiphi. I was informed that the men had resolved to take their way toward the South. On the 12th I reached Khetam. There I was informed that grooms who had come from the neighborhood (of the "sedge city") reported that the fugitives had already passed the rampart (Anbu or "wall"), to the North of the Ma'ktal of King Seti Minepthah." As to the position of this "wall," see SHUR.

C. R. Conder

Strong's Hebrew

4024. Migdol -- a city on the NE border of Egypt
Migdol or Migdol. 4023b, 4024. Migdol or Migdol. 4025 . a city on the NE
border of Egypt. Transliteration: Migdol or Migdol Phonetic ...
/hebrew/4024.htm - 6k

4023a. migdol -- a tower
... 4023, 4023a. migdol. 4023b . a tower. Transliteration: migdol Short Definition:
tower. ... 4023, 4023a. migdol. 4023b . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4023a.htm - 5k

Library

Migdol. LM Acts 2:1.
... 39 Migdol. LM Acts 2:1. Acts 2:1. (792) Command thy blessing from above
O God, on all assembled here; Behold us with a Father's ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/39 migdol l m acts 2 1.htm

The Otterbein Hymnal
... 37 Mendon. LM Psalm 84. 38 Ward. LM Before Sermon. 39 Migdol. LM Acts 2:1. 40 Mear.
CM God's Presence in Sanctuary. 41 Mear. CM Dedication. 42 Mear. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/

The Close of the Theban Empire --(Continued)
... Towards the south they diminished in number, tombs and monuments becoming fewer
and appearing at wider intervals; the Migdol of Ramses III. ...
/.../chapter ithe close of the.htm

Further Journeying About Galilee.
... 9 John 20:11-18. Mary's name indicates that she was a native of Magdala
(Hebrew, Migdol, ie, watch-tower). Of all the towns which ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlvii further journeying about galilee.htm

Index of Tunes.
... 130 MELANCTHON, 496 MELITA, 370 MILTON, 243 MENDELSSOHN, 463 MERIBAH, 90, 91, 119,
395 MERTON, 105, 519 MESSIAH, 281 MIDNIGHT MASS, 460 MIGDOL, 173 MILLENNIAL ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/index of tunes.htm

Chapter i.
... The panic which followed the murder of Gedaliah drove a host of Jewish fugitives
to Egypt, where they settled at Migdol (Magdolos), Tahpanhes (Taphnas = Daphne ...
/.../an introduction to the old testament in greek additional notes/chapter i.htm

Missionary Hymns.
... To another beautiful missionary hymn of Mrs. Vokes, of quieter tone, but songful
and sweet, Dr. Mason wrote the tune of "Migdol." It is its musical twin. ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter iv missionary hymns.htm

Book 2 Footnotes
... as far as the desert of Etham, Exodus 13:20, when they were commanded by God to
return back, Exodus 14:2, and to pitch their camp between Migdol and the sea ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 2 footnotes.htm

The Close of the Theban Empire
... One of these, the Migdol of Ramses III., was erected, not far from the scene of
the decisive battle, on the spot where the spoils had been divided. ...
/.../chapter iiithe close of the.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... is depicted. Another type is given in the case of Ascalon. [Illustration: 187.jpg
THE MIGDOL OF RAMSES III. ... Transport this migdol of Ramses III. ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

Migdol

a tower

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Migdol

(tower), the name of one of two places on the eastern frontier of Egypt.

A Migdol is mentioned int he account of the exodus, (Exodus 14:2; Numbers 33:7,8) near the head of the Red Sea.
A Migdol is spoken of by Jeremiah and Ezekiel. The latter prophet mentions it as a boundary-town, evidently on the eastern border. (Ezekiel 29:10; 30:6) In the prophecy of Jeremiah the Jews in Egypt are spoken of as dwelling at Migdol. (Jeremiah 44:1) It seems plain, from its being spoken of with Memphis, and from Jews dwelling there, that this Midgol was an important town.

ATS Bible Dictionary

Migdol

A tower, a frontier town in Northern Egypt towards the Red Sea, Jeremiah 44:1; 46:14; Ezekiel 29:10; 30:6. The Hebrews, on leaving Egypt, encamped between it and the sea, Exodus 14:2; Numbers 33:7.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Tower.

(1.) A strongly-fortified place 12 miles from Pelusium, in the north of Egypt (Jeremiah 44:1; 46:14). This word is rendered "tower" in Ezek. 29:10, but the margin correctly retains the name Migdol, "from Migdol to Syene;" i.e., from Migdol in the north to Syene in the south, in other words, the whole of Egypt.

(2.) A place mentioned in the passage of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:2; Numbers 33:7, 8). It is probably to be identified with Bir Suweis, about 2 miles from Suez.

Thesaurus

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

Pihahiroth (4 Occurrences)
... This approximately locates all the other places mentioned in connection with the
crossing: Migdol must be Ras 'Ataqah, or some other high point in the ...
/p/pihahiroth.htm - 10k

Pi-hahiroth (4 Occurrences)
... This approximately locates all the other places mentioned in connection with the
crossing: Migdol must be Ras 'Ataqah, or some other high point in the ...
/p/pi-hahiroth.htm - 10k

Baalzephon (3 Occurrences)
... Beelsepphon; (Exodus 14:2, 9 Numbers 33:7): The name means "Lord of the North,"
and the place was opposite the Hebrew camp, which was between Migdol and the sea ...
/b/baalzephon.htm - 8k

Baal-zephon (3 Occurrences)
... Beelsepphon; (Exodus 14:2, 9 Numbers 33:7): The name means "Lord of the North,"
and the place was opposite the Hebrew camp, which was between Migdol and the sea ...
/b/baal-zephon.htm - 8k

Zephon (5 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Exodus 14:2 "Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn back and
encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, before Baal Zephon. ...
/z/zephon.htm - 8k

Etham (4 Occurrences)
... See MIGDOL. CR Conder. ... Numbers 33:7 They traveled from Etham, and turned back to
Pihahiroth, which is before Baal Zephon: and they encamped before Migdol. ...
/e/etham.htm - 9k

Pi (3 Occurrences)
... Exodus 14:2 "Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn back and encamp before
Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, before Baal Zephon. ...
/p/pi.htm - 7k

Ba'al-ze'phon (3 Occurrences)
... Exodus 14:2 "Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn back and encamp before
Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, before Baal Zephon. ...
/b/ba'al-ze'phon.htm - 7k

Hahiroth (4 Occurrences)
... Exodus 14:2 "Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn back and encamp before
Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, before Baal Zephon. ...
/h/hahiroth.htm - 7k

Bible Concordance

Migdol (6 Occurrences)

Exodus 14:2 "Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn back and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, before Baal Zephon. You shall encamp opposite it by the sea.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 33:7 They traveled from Etham, and turned back to Pihahiroth, which is before Baal Zephon: and they encamped before Migdol.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 44:1 The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews who lived in the land of Egypt, who lived at Migdol, and at Tahpanhes, and at Memphis, and in the country of Pathros, saying,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 46:14 Declare in Egypt, and publish in Migdol, and publish in Memphis and in Tahpanhes: say, Stand forth, and prepare; for the sword has devoured around you.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 29:10 See, then, I am against you and against your streams, and I will make the land of Egypt an unpeopled waste, from Migdol to Syene, even as far as the edge of Ethiopia.
(BBE DBY JPS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 30:6 This is what the Lord has said: The supporters of Egypt will have a fall, and the pride of her power will come down: from Migdol to Syene they will be put to the sword in it, says the Lord.
(BBE DBY JPS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Migdol

Migdol: A City on the Northeastern Border of Lower Egypt

Migdol: A Place Near the Red Sea where the Israelites Encamped

Related Terms

Pihahiroth (4 Occurrences)

Pi-hahiroth (4 Occurrences)

Baalzephon (3 Occurrences)

Baal-zephon (3 Occurrences)

Zephon (5 Occurrences)

Etham (4 Occurrences)

Pi (3 Occurrences)