What is the significance of Gaza?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Gaza, a city along the Mediterranean Sea, was a significant fortified port on trade routes between Africa, Europe, and Asia, originally part of Canaanite territory before being ruled by the Philistines. Despite attempts by the Israelites to conquer it, Gaza remained under Philistine rule, featuring prominently in biblical stories such as Samson's exploits. Throughout history, Gaza saw diverse rulers including Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and others, and faced judgment for its conflicts with Israel. In the New Testament, Gaza played a role in the spread of the gospel, as Philip met an Ethiopian eunuch there and shared the truth with him. Today, Gaza remains a place of political turmoil, under Palestinian authority, and continues to be significant in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Gaza is a city along the Mediterranean Sea that often marked the southwestern edge of the region because it borders the desert (Genesis 10:19; Joshua 10:41).
• The name Gaza means "fierce" or "strong," and it became a significant fortified city bordering the desert wilderness and an important port and stop on the trade routes between Africa, Europe, and Asia.
• Originally part of Canaanite territory, Gaza was conquered and ruled by Egypt for three hundred and fifty years before the Philistines took over in the twelfth century BC. The Philistines made this city one of the five cities in its pentapolis along with Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, and Gath.
• When the Israelites conquered the land under Joshua, the tribe of Judah inherited Gaza as part of its territory (Joshua 10:41; 15:45–47). However, they failed to drive out the Philistines, so the Philistines continued to live in and rule from their pentapolis including Gaza (Judges 1:18–19).
• Israelite judge Samson carried off the doors of the city gate when the city's inhabitants tried to capture him (Judges 16:2–3). Later, however, through Delilah's deception, the Philistines captured Samson and brought him to Gaza where he became a grinder in the prison (Judges 16:21). Eventually, when God renewed his strength, Samson toppled the house in Gaza, killing the Philistine governors, many civilians, and himself (Judges 16:30).
• Under Saul's and David's kingships, the Philistines were defeated so that succeeding king Solomon "had dominion over all the region west of the Euphrates from Tiphsah to Gaza, over all the kings west of the Euphrates. And he had peace on all sides around him" (1 Kings 4:24). Later, King Hezekiah "struck down the Philistines as far as Gaza and its territory, from watchtower to fortified city" (2 Kings 18:8). Gaza remained an important city that alternated between Philistine and Israelite rule.
• Because of its consistent warring against Israel, God warned of judgment and destruction for the city of Gaza (Amos 1:6–7; Zephaniah 2:4; Zechariah 9:5; Jeremiah 25:17–29). Gaza eventually fell to Assyrian rule, then Egyptian control (Jeremiah 47:1), then Persian conquest. The Greeks took Gaza under Alexander the Great. The Seleucid Empire then ruled there before the Romans conquered the city. Due to these myriad empires ruling this port city, Gaza became incredibly diverse with Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Persians, Bedouins, and Jews living there.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• In the New Testament, Philip was told, "Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza" (Acts 8:26). On this road, Philip met an Ethiopian who was reading and trying to understand the scroll of Isaiah. "Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus" (Acts 8:35). Thus, by traveling toward Gaza, the gospel was spread, presumably not only to Ethiopia and northern Africa, but to many places from this port city.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Currently, the city of Gaza, largely inhabited by Muslims with a small Christian minority, is governed by Hamas as part of the Gaza Strip. This region has experienced prolonged political and social conflict, often marked by tensions with Israel, making it a challenging yet significant place for sharing the gospel. The Bible assures us that God is aware of the suffering in Gaza—He sees both the hardships faced by its people and the inhumanity of war that affects the region.

UNDERSTAND

• Gaza was a fortified city and vital port on trade routes between Africa, Europe, and Asia.
• Gaza was originally Canaanite, later ruled by the Philistines, and featured in stories of Samson's exploits.
• God brought judgment upon Gaza for its consistent warring against Israel. As a result, Gaza saw diverse rulers invading their land including Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and others.

REFLECT

• How does learning about Gaza's historical significance and biblical narrative impact your understanding of current events in the region?
• Have you ever considered how conflicts in ancient times, like those involving Gaza, continue to affect the people living there today?
• Reflect on Gaza's role in spreading the gospel in the New Testament. How does this story resonate with your own understanding of sharing faith in challenging circumstances?

ENGAGE

• How does the biblical narrative of Gaza's history provide insights into the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict today?
• How have various empires' control over the region influenced Gaza's cultural diversity and geopolitical importance?
• In what ways can understanding the biblical and historical context of Gaza help us approach issues of conflict, justice, and peace in the region today?