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What is Gaza?
        GA'ZA
        (Hebrew Azzah, strong), the chief of the five cities of the Philistines, 50 miles south-west of Jerusalem, 3 miles from the Mediterranean, and 10 miles from Ascalon; now called Ghuzzeh. History. -- Gaza is one of the oldest cities in the world; was peopled by the descendants of Ham, Gen 10:19; by the Anakim, Josh 11:22; given to Judah, Josh 15:47; the scene of Samson's exploits, Jud 16; under Solomon's rule, and called Azzah, 1 Kgs 4:24; smitten by Egypt, Jer 47:1, Isa 47:5; prophesied against. Am 1:6-7; Zeph 2:4; Zech 9:5; noticed in N.T. only in Acts 8:26; a chief stronghold of paganism and the worship of the god Marnas (Dagon), whose temples were destroyed, a.d. 400; taken by the Arabs, a.d. 634; restored by the Crusaders, a.d. 1149; plundered by Saladin, a.d. 1170, and again in a.d. 1187; taken by Napoleon, 1799; has now about 18,000 population, mostly Moslems. The town is now without walls or gates, but is in the midst of olive-orchards. Conder thinks the ancient town stood on the hill where most of the modern town now stands. The place is full of reminiscences of Samson and his tragic end. The pillars are shown which he pulled down. The inhabitants are chiefly Moslems; but there is also a Greek church, and a Protestant school in connection with the Jerusalem mission. See Philistine.


Bibliography Information
Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'gaza' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
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