Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

ZOAN

(Heb. ṣōʿan)

The biblical name of the Egyptian capital of the 21st and 22nd Dynasties, Djaʿnet (Gk. Tanis; Isa. 19:11, 13). The city is located on a branch of the Nile in the eastern Delta, at modern San el-Hagar, ca. 47 km. (29 mi.) S of the Mediterranean. The city was excavated by Auguste Mariette (1850s), W. M. Flinders Petrie (1883-86), and extensively by Pierre Montet (1929-1951). The city was initially identified with the Hyksos capital, Avaris, and the Ramesside capital, Pi-Ramesses, because of the numerous blocks and monuments bearing Ramesside and Hyksos names. However, it is now certain that Avaris is to be identified with Tell ed-Dabʿa and Pi-Ramesses with a site just N of Avaris near modern Qantir, ca. 48 km. (30 mi.) S of Zoan. Blocks and monuments from these cities were salvaged by the later builders of Zoan.

Zoan came to prominence in Egypt when Smendes (1070-1044 b.c.e.), a resident of Zoan and governor of Lower Egypt under Rameses XI, established the 21st Dynasty upon Rameses’ death. Zoan became the administrative center of Lower Egypt. The prominent feature of Zoan is the great temple of Amon built by Psusennes I (1040-992), with additions by Siamun (978-59), Osorkon III (883-55), and Shoshenq III (835-783). The tombs of Psusennes I, Amenemope (993-84), Osorkon III, and Shoshenq III, along with two anonymous tombs, were found intact within the temple complex, just below ground level. Although the administrative center shifted to Sais in the Late Period, Zoan continued to serve as the capital of the 19th nome and to be subject to royal building projects into the Ptolemaic period.

The biblical phrase “fields of Zoan” (Ps. 78:12, 43) is an accurate Hebrew translation of the Egyptian phrase (“Field of the Storm”) which refers to the district of Djaʿnet.

Ronald A. Simkins

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

ZOAN

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)