רַעְמְסֵס
𐤓𐤏𐤌𐤎𐤎
Raemeses
H7486 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A proper noun designating a significant city or district in northeastern Egypt, associated with the land of Goshen, mentioned primarily as a site of Israelite settlement and departure in the narratives of Genesis and Exodus. The term refers specifically to the Egyptian city or district known in Egyptian sources as Pi-Ramesses, constructed or greatly expanded during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II. In biblical usage, it serves as a geographic locator, marking a key site in the Israelite sojourn and exodus narratives.
Semantic Range
city name in Egypt, district or region within Egypt, site of Israelite settlement, site of the beginning of the exodus; proper noun referring to Egyptian Pi-Ramesses, and in broader usage possibly referring to the district surrounding the city
Root / Etymology
From Egyptian origin, likely from the name of Pharaoh Ramesses II, itself derived from Egyptian 'Ra-ms-sw', meaning 'Ra (the Egyptian sun-god) has fashioned him.' The Hebrew form רַעְמְסֵס (Raʻmᵉsēs) is a direct borrowing and attempt to represent the Egyptian pronunciation; it does not reflect a native Hebrew root or derivation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
רַעְמְסֵס is used several times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in the context of Israelite history in Egypt: as a site built by forced labor (Exodus 1:11), as the location of Israelite settlement within the land of Goshen (Genesis 47:11), and as the starting point of the exodus (Exodus 12:37; Numbers 33:3, 5). The Hebrew text alternates between רַעְמְסֵס and the variant spelling רַעַמְסֵס, reflecting possible developments in scribal transmission or attempts to preserve a more accurate foreign pronunciation. The Greek Septuagint transliterates the term (Ῥαμεσσής), which was then further Anglicized as 'Rameses' or 'Raamses' in English translations. In Egyptian history, Pi-Ramesses became prominent in the 13th century BCE as a capital city. The biblical use of this name likely reflects the period when this city was well known. The term should not be confused with older regions referred to by related but distinct toponyms such as Avaris (Tell el-Dab‘a), though archaeological debates continue regarding the precise identification. English translations typically render the name as 'Rameses' or 'Raamses,' which is accurate as a proper noun but may obscure the Egyptian theophoric elements present in the name.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or רַעַמְסֵס; of Egyptian origin; Rameses or Raamses, a place in Egypt; Raamses, Rameses.
Bantu Hebrew
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רעמסס (loanword) (r-ʿ-m-s-s) — proper name, Egyptian royal city, district in northeastern Egypt
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7486-01 |
מֵ/רַעְמְסֵ֖ס | meraemeses | HR/Np |
from Rameses | from Raamses | 3 |
H7486-02 |
רַעַמְסֵֽס | raameses | HNp |
Raamses. | Raamses | 1 |
H7486-03 |
רַעְמְסֵ֑ס | raemeses | HNp |
of Rameses | Raamses | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7486-03 |
Genesis 47:11 | רַעְמְסֵ֑ס | raemeses | HNp |
of Rameses | Raamses |
H7486-02 |
Exodus 1:11 | רַעַמְסֵֽס | raameses | HNp |
Raamses. | Raamses |
H7486-01 |
Exodus 12:37 | מֵ/רַעְמְסֵ֖ס | meraemeses | HR/Np |
from Rameses | from Raamses |
H7486-01 |
Numbers 33:3 | מֵֽ/רַעְמְסֵס֙ | meraemeses | HR/Np |
from Rameses | from Raamses |
H7486-01 |
Numbers 33:5 | מֵ/רַעְמְסֵ֑ס | meraemeses | HR/Np |
from Rameses | from Raamses |