- Gaza:
- Gaza, a city of great antiquity, was situated between Raphia and Askelon, twenty-two miles north of the former, and sixteen south of of the latter, according to the Antonine Itinerary; three miles from the sea, according to Arrian, and thirty-four from Ashdod or Azotus, according to Diodorus Siculus. It was a place of great strength and importance; and successively belonged to the Philistines, Hebrews, Chaldeans, and Persians; which latter defended it for two months against Alexander the great, who finally took and destroyed it. It was afterwards rebuilt, and alternately possessed by the Egyptians, Syrians, and Jews. The present town, which the Arabs call Razza, is situated on an eminence, and is rendered picturesque by the number of fine minarets which rise majestically above the buildings, with beautiful date trees interspersed. It contains upwards of 2,000 inhabitants. "And the borderª of the Canaanitesª was¹ from Sidon,ª¹ as thou comestª° to Gerar,ª unto¹ Gaza;ª as thou goest,ª° unto Sodom,ª and Gomorrah,ª and Admah,ª and Zeboim,ª even unto¹ Lasha.ª" {Gen 10:19} + "Ashdodª with her townsª and her villages,ª Gazaª with her townsª and her villages,ª unto¹ the riverª of Egypt,ª and the greatª°² sea,ª and the borderª [thereof]:" {Jsh 15:47}
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