Pi-beseth
Pi-beseth is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Egypt in modern-day Egypt. Known today as Tell Basteh. It appears across 1 verse in Scripture.
Biblical History
Pi-beseth, also known by its Greek name Bubastis, appears in the prophetic oracle of Ezekiel against Egypt. In Ezekiel 30:17, the prophet declares: "The young men of On and Pi-beseth will fall by the sword, and the cities themselves will go into captivity." This pronouncement was part of Ezekiel's broader series of judgments against Egypt, foretelling the devastation that Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon would bring upon the land. Pi-beseth was a significant Egyptian city in the eastern Nile Delta, serving as a major center for the worship of the cat-goddess Bastet. Its inclusion alongside On (Heliopolis) in the prophecy highlights the systematic nature of God's judgment, reaching into the major religious and administrative centers of Egypt. The fulfillment of this prophecy demonstrated the Lord's sovereignty over all nations and their gods, showing that even Egypt's ancient and powerful cultic centers could not protect its people from divine judgment when the appointed time came.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Pi-beseth is identified with Tell Basta (Tell Basteh), located near the modern city of Zagazig in the eastern Nile Delta of Egypt. The site was the cult center of the cat-goddess Bastet, and Herodotus described its great annual festival as the most elaborate in Egypt. Archaeological excavations have uncovered the remains of the great temple of Bastet, with blocks and statuary dating from the Old Kingdom through the Ptolemaic period. Notable discoveries include red granite columns, numerous bronze cat figurines, and a cat cemetery. The site has suffered significant damage from sebakh (fertilizer) digging and agricultural encroachment. Much of the ancient city remains beneath modern settlement, though ongoing Egyptian archaeological projects continue to reveal new finds.
Verse Appearances (1)
Ezek
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →