An ancient Egyptian city, probably Tanis
Zoan
Named in 7 verses across 4 books, first in Numbers 13:22.
צֹ֫עַןZoan
The name means “motion.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About Zoan Written by AI
Zoan was an ancient city of Egypt, mentioned in several contexts in the Bible. It was one of the cities built by the Israelites during their enslavement in Egypt (Num.13.22). The fields of Zoan were the site of God's miracles and mighty acts during the time of Moses (Psa.78.12,43). The princes of Zoan are described as fools, unable to give wise counsel to Pharaoh (Isa.19.11,13). Zoan is also mentioned as a place where the rebellious Israelites sent messengers, seeking help from Egypt rather than trusting in God (Isa.30.4). Ezekiel prophesied that Zoan would be in terror and face God's judgment (Ezk.30.14). Zoan is most likely to be identified with Tanis, an important city in the Nile Delta region of ancient Egypt. It served as a capital during the 21st and 22nd dynasties.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
(Old Egypt. Sant= “stronghold,” the modern San). A city on the Tanitic branch of the Nile, called by the Greeks Tanis. It was built seven years after Hebron in Palestine (Num. 13:22). This great and important city was the capital of the Hyksos, or Shepherd kings, who ruled Egypt for more than 500 years. It was the frontier town of Goshen. Here Pharaoh was holding his court at the time of his various interviews with Moses and Aaron. “No trace of Zoan exists; Tanis was built over it, and city after city has been built over the ruins of that” (Harper, Bible and Modern Discovery). Extensive mounds of ruins, the wreck of the ancient city, now mark its site (Isa. 19:11, 13; 30:4; Ezek. 30:14). “The whole constitutes one of the grandest and oldest ruins in the world.”
This city was also called “the Field of Zoan” (Ps. 78:12, 43) and “the Town of Rameses” (q.v.), because the oppressor rebuilt and embellished it, probably by the forced labour of the Hebrews, and made it his northern capital.
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
30.975, 31.884 See it on a map
Where the Bible names it
- Numbers 13:22
They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, dwelled. It had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.
- Psalm 78:12
He worked wonders before their fathers in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.
- Psalm 78:43
when He performed His signs in Egypt and His wonders in the fields of Zoan.
- Isaiah 19:11
The princes of Zoan are mere fools; Pharaoh’s wise counselors give senseless advice. How can you say to Pharaoh, “I am one of the wise, a son of eastern kings”?
- Isaiah 19:13
The princes of Zoan have become fools; the princes of Memphis are deceived. The cornerstones of her tribes have led Egypt astray.
- Isaiah 30:4
For though their princes are at Zoan and their envoys have arrived in Hanes,
- Ezekiel 30:14
I will lay waste Pathros, set fire to Zoan, and execute judgment on Thebes.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.