Bible Dictionary
Pathros
Pathros was the biblical name for Upper Egypt, or the southern region of Egypt. It is mentioned in prophetic passages and as a place where Jewish communities lived after the destruction of Jerusalem.
Definition
Pathros was the name generally given to Upper Egypt, the southern part of Egypt, in contrast with Lower Egypt. It was an Egyptian region and is identified in the Egyptian name Pata resii, meaning “South land.” Pathros is also associated with the Pathrusim, a branch or people descended from Mizraim.
Biblical Usage
Pathros appears in prophetic references to Egypt and its regions. It is mentioned as a place in which Jewish communities lived after the destruction of Jerusalem, together with other parts of Egypt.
Historical Background
Pathros was probably part or all of Upper Egypt, the Thebaid of the Greeks. The name may be traced in the Pathyrite district, where Thebes was situated. Upper and Lower Egypt together formed Mizraim.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The name generally given to Upper Egypt (the Thebaid of the Greeks), as distinguished from Matsor, or Lower Egypt (Isa. 11:11; Jer. 44:1, 15; Ezek. 30:14), the two forming Mizraim. After the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, colonies of Jews settled “in the country of Pathros” and other parts of Egypt.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(region of the south), a part of Egypt, and a Mizraite tribe whose people were called Pathrusim. In the list of the Mizraites the Pathrusim occur after the Naphtuhim and before the Caluhim; the latter being followed by the notice of the Philistines and by the Caphtorim. (Genesis 10:13,14; 1 Chronicles 1:12) Pathros is mentioned in the prophecies of Isaiah, (Isaiah 11:11) Jeremiah (Jeremiah 44:1,15) and Ezekiel. (Ezekiel 29:14; 30:13-18) It was probably part or all of upper Egypt, and we may trace its name in the Pathyrite name, in which Thebes was situated.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>path'-ros (pathros; Egyptian Pata resii, the "South land"; Septuagint ge Pathoures): The Hebrew form of the Egyptian name for Upper Egypt (Isa 11:11; Jer 44:1,15; Eze 29:14; 30:14).</p>