Overview:
Bubastis, known in ancient Egyptian as "Per-Bastet," was a prominent city in the Nile Delta region of Egypt. It served as the capital of the 18th nome (province) of Lower Egypt and was a significant religious and cultural center dedicated to the worship of the goddess Bastet. The city is mentioned in the Bible in the context of prophetic literature, specifically in the book of Ezekiel.

Biblical Reference:
Bubastis is indirectly referenced in the Bible in the book of Ezekiel, where the prophet speaks of the judgment upon Egypt. In Ezekiel 30:17 , it is written: "The young men of On and Pi-beseth will fall by the sword, and those cities will go into captivity." Pi-beseth is the Hebrew name for Bubastis, indicating its inclusion in the prophetic pronouncements against Egypt.

Historical and Cultural Significance:
Bubastis was renowned for its grand temple dedicated to Bastet, the lioness-headed goddess associated with home, fertility, and protection. The city was a hub of religious activity, especially during the annual festival of Bastet, which Herodotus, the Greek historian, described as one of the most significant and joyous celebrations in Egypt. The festival attracted pilgrims from across the nation, highlighting the city's importance in the religious landscape of ancient Egypt.

The city's strategic location in the Nile Delta made it a vital center for trade and commerce. Its prosperity and influence were reflected in its architectural grandeur, including the temple complex, which was adorned with impressive sculptures and reliefs.

Archaeological Insights:
Excavations at the site of Bubastis, modern-day Tell Basta, have uncovered remnants of the temple of Bastet, as well as various artifacts that provide insight into the religious practices and daily life of its inhabitants. The archaeological findings corroborate historical accounts of the city's wealth and significance.

Theological Implications:
From a theological perspective, the mention of Bubastis in Ezekiel's prophecy underscores the theme of divine judgment against the nations that opposed Israel. The fall of Bubastis, along with other Egyptian cities, serves as a testament to the sovereignty of God over the nations and His ability to execute judgment according to His divine will.

The inclusion of Bubastis in the biblical narrative also reflects the interconnectedness of the ancient Near Eastern world, where the destinies of nations were often intertwined. The prophetic literature of the Bible frequently addresses the fate of foreign cities and nations, emphasizing the universal scope of God's plan and the ultimate accountability of all peoples to His righteous standards.BUBASTIS

bu-bas'-tis.

See PI-BESETH.

Pagan Shrines and Temples.
... Objects offered to [or belonging to] both temples [the temple of Isis and that of
Bubastis]:"Seventeen statues; one head of the Sun; four silver images; one ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter ii pagan shrines and.htm

At the Well
... From the summit of the great towers of Bubastis and Sais the glistening
sinuosities of its branches might be discerned for many miles. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxvii at the well.htm

List of Characters and Places
... Sea. Bast,"Bahst, the cat-headed goddess, patron deity of Bubastis. ... Io.
Bubastis,"Biu-bast'-is, city in lower Egypt near Goshen. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/list of characters and places.htm

The Punishment of Atsu
... "Horemheb of Bubastis, thy successor, accompanieth these. ... "We were set upon by a
troop of murdering Bedouins this side of Bubastis and had a pretty fight.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter viii the punishment of.htm

Appendix.
... Of Hermon, Bishop of Bubastis, mentioned as present along with Ammonius, Theophilus,
and Ammon when the story was told, nothing is known (except that the date ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/appendix 2.htm

Volume ii. , Part C. The First Theban Empire
... Public works and new buildings"The restoration of the temples of the Delta: Tanis
and the sphinxes of Amenemhait III., Bubastis, Heliopolis, and the temple ...
/.../volume ii part c the.htm

The Coming of the Pharaoh
... Memphis. It was a flotilla of the rank and wealth of the capital, with
that of On, Bubastis, Busiris, and even Mendes and Tanis. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xiii the coming of.htm

The Friendship that was Between Onias and Ptolemy Philometor; and ...
... to be given thee to purge that temple which is fallen down at Leontopolis, in the
Nomus of Heliopolis, and which is named from the country Bubastis; on which ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 the friendship that.htm

Under Ban of the Ritual
... observed. "Har-hat vaults loftily from the nomarchship of Bubastis to an advisership
to the Pharaoh.". ... seen.". "Who succeeds him over Bubastis?". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter ii under ban of.htm

At Masaarah
... her veins. Har-hat, fan-bearer to the Pharaoh, late governor of Bubastis,
drew up his horses and calmly surveyed her. The action ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xviii at masaarah.htm

Bubastis (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia BUBASTIS. bu-bas'-tis. See PI-BESETH.
Multi-Version Concordance Bubastis (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel ...
/b/bubastis.htm - 6k

Pithom (1 Occurrence)
... Tum was worshipped at Thebes, at Zoan, and probably at Bubastis, while
Heliopolis (Brugsch, Geogr., I, 254) was also called Pa-tum. ...
/p/pithom.htm - 12k

Pi-beseth (1 Occurrence)
... the Egyptians. It was called by the Greeks Bubastis. The ... of On. Herodotus
found the city of Bubastis very beautiful in his day. The ...
/p/pi-beseth.htm - 8k

Pibeseth (1 Occurrence)
... the Egyptians. It was called by the Greeks Bubastis. The ... of On. Herodotus
found the city of Bubastis very beautiful in his day. The ...
/p/pibeseth.htm - 8k

Zoan (7 Occurrences)
... nose, unlike the features of the native Egyptians, has been regarded by Virchow
and Sir W. Flower as Turanian, both at Zoan and at Bubastis; which agrees with ...
/z/zoan.htm - 17k

Goshen (16 Occurrences)
... The western half, immediately East of the Bubastic branch of the Nile, stretches
from Zoan to Bubastis (at both of which cities records of the Hyksos ruler ...
/g/goshen.htm - 19k

Exodus (2 Occurrences)
... Dr. Naville has suggested that the court was at Bubastis, not at Zoan, and that
the route lay from near Zagazig down Wady Tumeilat-a line well fitted for a ...
/e/exodus.htm - 82k

Brutish (12 Occurrences)

/b/brutish.htm - 11k

Tahpanhes (7 Occurrences)
... the crown" of Israel's head (2:16), and Ezekiel can speak of its "daughters" (colonies
or suburban towns), and names it with Heliopolis and Bubastis when the ...
/t/tahpanhes.htm - 14k

Plague (142 Occurrences)
... Egypt. Indeed in the Southeast between Gaza and Bubastis it has occurred
so frequently that it may almost be regarded as endemic. ...
/p/plague.htm - 49k

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