Topical Encyclopedia Overview:Heliopolis, known in Hebrew as "On," is an ancient city of great significance located in the northeastern region of the Nile Delta in Egypt. The name "Heliopolis" is derived from the Greek words "Helios" (sun) and "polis" (city), meaning "City of the Sun." In the Bible, Heliopolis is referred to as "On" and is mentioned in the context of Joseph's life in Egypt. Biblical References: Heliopolis is mentioned in the Bible primarily in the book of Genesis. It is notably referenced in Genesis 41:45, where Pharaoh gives Joseph Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, as his wife: "Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-paneah, and he gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt" . This marriage signifies Joseph's integration into Egyptian society and his rise to power. The city is also indirectly referenced in Genesis 41:50 and Genesis 46:20, where the lineage of Joseph's sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, is mentioned, highlighting their maternal connection to the priestly class of On. Historical and Cultural Context: Heliopolis was a major religious center in ancient Egypt, dedicated to the worship of the sun god Ra. It was one of the oldest cities in Egypt and held significant religious and political influence. The priests of Heliopolis were among the most powerful in Egypt, and the city was renowned for its temple complex and obelisks. The city's association with the sun god Ra underscores its importance in Egyptian cosmology and theology. The priests of Heliopolis played a crucial role in the religious life of Egypt, and their influence extended into the political sphere, as seen in the marriage alliance with Joseph. Archaeological Significance: While much of ancient Heliopolis has been lost to time, archaeological excavations have uncovered remnants of its grandeur, including obelisks and temple ruins. These findings provide insight into the city's historical and religious significance. Theological Implications: From a theological perspective, Heliopolis represents the intersection of Hebrew and Egyptian cultures during the time of Joseph. The marriage of Joseph to Asenath, the daughter of a priest of On, symbolizes the providential integration of God's people into foreign lands, fulfilling His purposes through unexpected means. This union also foreshadows the eventual exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, as Joseph's position of power sets the stage for the preservation and growth of the Hebrew people in a foreign land. Conclusion: Heliopolis, or On, serves as a backdrop for key events in the biblical narrative, illustrating the complex interactions between the Israelites and the Egyptians. Its mention in the Bible highlights the historical and theological significance of Joseph's life and God's sovereign plan in the history of His people. Smith's Bible Dictionary Heliopolis[See ON] ATS Bible Dictionary HeliopolisCity of the sun, 1. A celebrated city of Egypt, called in Coptic, Hebrew, and the English version, ON, sun, light, Genesis 41:45. The Seventy mention expressly, Exodus 1:11, that On is Heliopolis. Jeremiah, Jeremiah 43:13, calls this city Beth-shemesh, that is, house or temple of the sun. In Ezekiel 30:17, the name is pronounced Aven, which is the same as On. The Arabs called it Ani-Shems, fountain of the sun. All these names come from the circumstance that the city was the ancient seat of the Egyptian worship of the sun. It was in ruins in the time of Strabo, who mentions that two obelisks had already been carried away to Rome. At present its site, six miles north northeast from Cairo, is marked only by extensive ranges of low mounds full of ruinous fragments, and a solitary obelisk formed of a single block of red granite, rising about sixty feet above the sand, and covered on its four sides with hieroglyphics. 2. Another Helioplis is alluded to in Scripture under the name of the "plain of Aven," or field of the sun, Am 1:5. This was the Heliopolis of Coele-Syria, now Baalbec. Its stupendous ruins have been the wonder of past centuries, and will continue to be the wonder of future generations, till barbarism and earthquakes shall have done their last work. The most notable remains are those of three temples, the largest of which, with its court and portico, extended 1,000 feet from east to west. A magnificent portico, 180 feet long, with twelve lofty and highly wrought columns, led to a large hexagonal court, and this to a vast quadrangle, 440 feet by 370. Fronting on this rose ten columns of the peristyle, which surrounded the inner temple. There were nineteen columns on each side, or fifty-four in all, only six of which are now standing, and they were seven feet in diameter, and sixty-two feet high, besides the entablature of nearly fourteen feet. This temple rested on an immense vaulted substructure, rising nearly fifty feet above the ground outside, and in this are three stones sixty-three long and thirteen feet high, lying twenty feet above the ground. The temples are of Roman origin; and in vastness of plan, combined with elaborateness and delicacy of execution, they seem to surpass all others in the world. "They are like those of Athens for lightness, but far surpass them in vastness; they are vast and massive, like those of Thebes, but far excel them in airiness and grace." (Robinson.) International Standard Bible Encyclopedia HELIOPOLIShe-li-op'-o-lis. Strong's Hebrew 1053. Beth Shemesh -- "sun temple," three places in Palestine ...... Word Origin from bayith and shemesh Definition "sun temple," three places in Pal., also a place in Eg. NASB Word Usage Beth-shemesh (20), Heliopolis (1). ... /hebrew/1053.htm - 6k Library Concerning St. Hilarion and the virgins in Heliopolis who were ... How He Destroyed the Temple of Venus at Heliopolis, and Built the ... Letter x. --For 338. Coss. Ursus and Polemius; Pr??f. The Same ... Book 13 Footnotes The Emperor Constantine Abolishes Paganism and Erects Many ... Book ii. The Return of the Holy Family from Egypt Of the Number and Character of the Deeds done by Pagans against ... Table of Contents Narrative of Events at Alexandria in the Time of Lucius the Arian ... Thesaurus Heliopolis (1 Occurrence)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia HELIOPOLIS. he-li-op'-o-lis. See ON. Multi-Version Concordance Heliopolis (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah ... /h/heliopolis.htm - 6k Bethshemesh (19 Occurrences) Beth-shemesh (19 Occurrences) Aven (10 Occurrences) Destruction (734 Occurrences) Shur (6 Occurrences) Abilene (1 Occurrence) On (40792 Occurrences) Irhaheres Nile (37 Occurrences) Resources Who were the priests of On? Was Joseph wrong to marry the daughter of a pagan priest (Genesis 41)? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Heliopolis (1 Occurrence)Jeremiah 43:13 Subtopics Related Terms |
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