Topical Encyclopedia Thebes, an ancient city located in Upper Egypt, holds significant historical and biblical importance. Known in Egyptian as "Waset" and referred to as "No" or "No-Amon" in the Bible, Thebes was a prominent center of power and culture in ancient Egypt. It served as the capital during the Middle and New Kingdoms and was renowned for its wealth, grandeur, and religious significance.Biblical References: Thebes is mentioned in the Bible primarily in the context of prophetic judgments against Egypt. The prophet Nahum references Thebes in his oracle against Nineveh, drawing a parallel between the fall of Thebes and the impending doom of Nineveh. Nahum 3:8-10 states: "Are you better than Thebes, situated by the Nile, with water around her, whose rampart was the sea, whose wall was the water? Cush and Egypt were her boundless strength; Put and Libya were her allies. Yet she became an exile; she went into captivity. Her infants were dashed to pieces at the head of every street. They cast lots for her nobles, and all her great men were bound in chains." Thebes is also mentioned in the book of Jeremiah, where the prophet foretells the judgment of God upon Egypt. Jeremiah 46:25 declares: "The LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: 'Behold, I will punish Amon of Thebes, Pharaoh, Egypt, her gods, and her kings, and those who trust in Pharaoh.'" Ezekiel also prophesies against Egypt, including Thebes, in Ezekiel 30:14-16 : "I will lay waste Pathros, set fire to Zoan, and execute judgment on Thebes. I will pour out My wrath on Pelusium, the stronghold of Egypt, and cut off the crowds of Thebes. I will set fire to Egypt; Pelusium will writhe in anguish, Thebes will be split open, and Memphis will face daily distress." Historical and Cultural Context: Thebes was a major religious center, home to the Karnak and Luxor temple complexes dedicated to the god Amun. The city was a hub of religious activity and pilgrimage, with its priests wielding significant influence. Thebes' wealth and power were largely derived from its strategic location along the Nile River, facilitating trade and agriculture. The city reached its zenith during the New Kingdom (circa 1550–1070 BC), when pharaohs such as Thutmose III, Amenhotep III, and Ramses II undertook extensive building projects, including the construction of grand temples and monuments. The Valley of the Kings, located near Thebes, served as the burial site for many pharaohs, including the famous tomb of Tutankhamun. Despite its former glory, Thebes experienced periods of decline and destruction, often at the hands of foreign invaders. The Assyrian conquest in 663 BC, led by Ashurbanipal, marked a significant blow to the city's prominence, as described in the biblical accounts. Theological Significance: The biblical references to Thebes serve as a reminder of God's sovereignty and justice. The fall of Thebes, despite its might and alliances, illustrates the futility of relying on human strength and idolatry. The prophetic messages concerning Thebes underscore the theme of divine judgment against nations that oppose God's will and serve as a warning to those who place their trust in earthly powers rather than in the Lord. Thebes' inclusion in the biblical narrative highlights the interconnectedness of the ancient Near Eastern world and the broader scope of God's dealings with nations beyond Israel. Through the lens of Thebes, believers are reminded of the ultimate authority of God over all nations and the certainty of His righteous judgments. Smith's Bible Dictionary Thebes(Authorized Version No, the multitude of No. populous No), a chief cite of ancient Egypt, long the capital of the upper country, and the seat of the Diospolitan dynasties, that ruled over all Egypt at the era of its highest splendor. It was situated on both sides of the Nile, 400 or 500 miles from its mouth. The sacred name of Thebes was P-amen "the abode of Amon," which the Greeks reproduced in their Diospolis , especially with the addition the Great . No-amon is the name of Thebes in the Hebrew Scriptures. (Jeremiah 46:25; Nahum 3:8) Ezekiel uses No simply to designate the Egyptian seat of Amon. (Ezekiel 30:14,16) [NO-AMON] its origin and early allusions to it. --The origin of the city is lost in antiquity. Niebuhr is of opinion that Thebes was much older than Memphis, and that, "after the centre of Egyptian life was transferred to lower Egypt, Memphis acquired its greatness through the ruin of Thebes." But both cities date from our earliest authentic knowledge of Egyptian history. The first allusion to Thebes in classical literature is the familiar passage of the Iliad (ix. 381-385): "Egyptian Thebes, were are vast treasures laid up in the houses; where are a hundred gates, and from each two hundred men to forth with horses and chariots." In the first century before Christ, Diodorus visited Thebes, and he devotes several sections of his general work to its history and appearance. Though he saw the city when it had sunk to quite secondary importance, he confirms the tradition of its early grandeur --its circuit of 140 stadia, the size of its public edifices, the magnificence of its temples, the number of its monuments, the dimensions of its private houses, some of them four or five stories high --all giving it an air of grandeur and beauty surpassing not only all other cities of Egypt, but of the world. Monuments. --The monuments of Thebes are the most reliable witnesses for the ancient splendor of the city. These are found in almost equal proportions upon both sides of the river. The plan of the city, as indicated by the principal monuments, was nearly quadrangular, measuring two miles from north to south and four from east to west. Its four great landmarks were, Karnak and Luxor upon the eastern or Arabian side, and Qoornah and Medeenet Haboo upon the western or Libyan side. There are indications that each of these temples may have been connected with those facing it upon two sides by grand dromoi , lined with sphinxes and other colossal figures. Upon the western bank there was almost a continuous line of temples and public edifices for a distance of two miles,from Qoonah to Medeenet Haboo; and Wilkinson conjectures that from a point near the latter, perhaps in the line of the colossi, the "Royal street" ran down to the river, which was crossed by a ferry terminating at Luxor, on the eastern side. Behind this long range of temples and palaces are the Libyan hills, which for a distance of five miles are excavated to the depth of several hundred feet for sepulchral chambers. Some of these, in the number and variety of their chambers, the finish of their sculptures, and the beauty and freshness of their frescoes, are among the most remarkable monuments of Egyptian grandeur and skill. The eastern side of the river is distinguished by the remains of Lurer and Karnak, the latter being of itself a city of temples. The approach to Karnak from the south is marked by a series of majestic gateways and towers, which were the appendages of later times to the original structure. The temple properly faces the river, i.e. toward the northwest. The courts land properly connected with this structure occupy a space nearly 1800 feet square, and the buildings represent almost very dynasty of Egypt. Ezekiel proclaims the destruction of Thebes by the arm of Babylon, (Ezekiel 30:14-16) and Jeremiah predicted the same overthrow, (Jeremiah 46:25,26) The city lies to-day a nest of Arab hovels amid crumbling columns and drifting sands. The Persian invader (Cambyses, B.C. 525) completed the destruction that the Babylonian had begun. ATS Bible Dictionary ThebesSee AMMON, or No-Ammon, or No. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia THEBESthebz. Strong's Hebrew 4996. No -- an Eg. city... 4995, 4996. No. 4997 . an Eg. city. Transliteration: No Phonetic Spelling: (no) Short Definition: Thebes. ... city NASB Word Usage No-amon* (1), Thebes (4). No. ... /hebrew/4996.htm - 6k Library On the Way to Thebes Nahum Volume ii. , Part C. The First Theban Empire History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 5 Exhortation to Abandon their Old Errors and Listen to the ... List of Characters and Places Back to Memphis The Promised Land Exhortation to Abandon the Impious Mysteries of Idolatry for the ... The Rivers of God Thesaurus Thebes (5 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia THEBES. thebz. See NO-AMON. Multi-Version Concordance Thebes (5 Occurrences). Jeremiah 46:25 ... /t/thebes.htm - 7k Great (10383 Occurrences) Thebez (3 Occurrences) Ethiopia (26 Occurrences) Pharaoh (245 Occurrences) No-amon (1 Occurrence) Noamon No (18543 Occurrences) Dionysus Memphis (8 Occurrences) Resources Why were infants dashed to pieces (Nahum 3:10)? | GotQuestions.orgWhen and how was Nineveh destroyed? | GotQuestions.org Summary of the Book of Nahum - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Thebes (5 Occurrences)Jeremiah 46:25 Ezekiel 30:14 Ezekiel 30:15 Ezekiel 30:16 Nahum 3:8 Subtopics Related Terms |
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