Bible Dictionary
Rameses
Rameses was a store-city in Egypt built during Israel’s oppression and the starting point of the Exodus. The surrounding land was probably the region of Goshen.
Definition
Rameses was an Egyptian city and district connected with Israel’s oppression and departure from Egypt. It was one of Pharaoh’s store-cities and is also called Raamses.
Biblical Usage
The Israelites built Rameses under forced labor and later set out from it in the Exodus. The land of Rameses is associated with the land of Goshen or a district within it.
Historical Background
The city was probably identified with Zoan and was rebuilt or enlarged by Rameses II. Bricks made from Nile mud, some mixed with stubble, marked the site in the supplied account.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
“the land of” (Gen. 47:11), was probably “the land of Goshen” (q.v.) 45:10. After the Hebrews had built Rameses, one of the “treasure cities,” it came to be known as the “land” in which that city was built. The city bearing this name (Ex. 12:37) was probably identical with Zoan, which Rameses II. (“son of the sun”) rebuilt. It became his special residence, and ranked next in importance and magnificance to Thebes. Huge masses of bricks, made of Nile mud, sun-dried, some of them mixed with stubble, possibly moulded by Jewish hands, still mark the site of Rameses. This was the general rendezvous of the Israelites before they began their march out of Egypt. Called also Raamses (Ex. 1:11).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ram'-e-sez, ra-me'-sez.</p><p>See RAAMSES.</p>