Meaning
Gaza called also Azzah, which is its Hebrew name (Deut 2:23; 1Kings 4:24; Jer 25:20), strong, a city on the Mediterranean shore, remarkable for its early importance as the chief centre of a great commercial traffic with Egypt. It is one of the oldest cities of the world (Gen 10:19; Josh 15:47). Its earliest inhabitants were the Avims, who were conquered and displaced by the Caphtorims (Deut 2:23; Josh 13:2, 3), a Philistine tribe. In the division of the land it fell to the lot of Judah (Josh 15:47; Judg 1:18). It was the southernmost of the five great Philistine cities which gave each a golden emerod as a trespass-offering unto the Lord (1Sam 6:17). Its gates were carried away by Samson (Judg 16:1-3). Here he was afterwards a prisoner, and "did grind in the prison house." Here he also pulled down the temple of Dagon, and slew "all the lords of the Philistines," himself also perishing in the ruin (Judg 16:21-30). The prophets denounce the judgments of God against it (Jer 25:20; 47:5; Amos 1:6, 7; Zeph 2:4). It is referred to in Acts 8:26. Philip is here told to take the road from Jerusalem to Gaza (about 6 miles south-west of Jerusalem), "which is desert", i.e., the "desert road," probably by Hebron, through the desert hills of Southern Judea. (See SAMSON)
It is noticed on monuments as early as B.C. 1600. Its small port is now called el-Mineh.
