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Zoan

Locations
Modern Location Tell el-Dab'a, Egypt
Coordinates 30.9833, 31.8167

Geographical Setting

Zoan, known in antiquity as Tanis, was a major political and religious center in the Nile Delta during the New Kingdom and later periods.

What is the meaning of Zoan in the Bible?

Zoan, identified with the archaeological site of Tell el-Dab'a and later Tanis, was a significant city in the Nile Delta region of ancient Egypt, serving as a capital during various dynastic periods and functioning as a key administrative hub.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding Zoan provides historical context for biblical narratives set in the Nile Delta, illustrating the geopolitical landscape of Egypt during the periods associated with the patriarchs and the Exodus.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Zoan (located near modern Tell el-Dab'a, 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 Zoan in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Zoan 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.

How to Cite This Entry

"Zoan." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/zoan/
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