Thebes
LocationsGeographical Setting
Thebes, known in antiquity as Waset and later as No-Ammon, was the capital of Egypt during the Middle and New Kingdoms and the primary cult center for the god Amun.
What is the meaning of Thebes in the Bible?
Thebes is an ancient city in Upper Egypt, identified with the biblical No-Ammon, which served as the political and religious capital during the height of the Egyptian Empire under rulers such as Rameses II.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Thebes provides essential historical context for biblical narratives involving Egypt, clarifying the geopolitical power and religious influence of the empire during the periods of the Exodus and the Babylonian exile.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Thebes in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Thebes clarify?
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.