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Pithom

Locations
Modern Location Tell el-Maskhuta, Wadi Tumilat, Egypt
Coordinates 30.6167° N, 31.7000° E

Geographical Setting

An ancient Egyptian city in the eastern Nile Delta, identified with Tell el-Maskhuta, which served as a storage city for the pharaohs.

What is the meaning of Pithom in the Bible?

Pithom, derived from the Egyptian Pa-tum meaning 'House of Atum' or 'City of Atum', was a storage city constructed by Israelite laborers during the New Kingdom period, located at the archaeological site of Tell el-Maskhuta in the Wadi Tumilat.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding the geography and administrative role of Pithom clarifies the logistical scale of the Israelite sojourn in Egypt and grounds the biblical narrative in the specific historical and political landscape of the Ramesside period.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Pithom (located near modern Tell el-Maskhuta, Wadi Tumilat, Egypt) held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Pithom in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Pithom clarify?

Related Topics

BethasmothHazelelponiMaachahBaale-JudahCiramaBabylon

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

"Pithom." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/pithom/
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