Ga·za /ˈgɑzə, ˈgæ-/



 Gaza
      n : a coastal region at the southeastern corner of the
          Mediterranean bordering Israel and Egypt; "he is a
          Palestinian from Gaza" [syn: Gaza Strip]


 Gaza
    called also Azzah, which is its Hebrew name (Deut. 2:23; 1 Kings
    4:24; Jer. 25:20), strong, a city on the Mediterranean shore,
    remarkable for its early importance as the chief centre of a
    great commercial traffic with Egypt. It is one of the oldest
    cities of the world (Gen. 10:19; Josh. 15:47). Its earliest
    inhabitants were the Avims, who were conquered and displaced by
    the Caphtorims (Deut. 2:23; Josh. 13:2, 3), a Philistine tribe.
    In the division of the land it fell to the lot of Judah (Josh.
    15:47; Judg. 1:18). It was the southernmost of the five great
    Philistine cities which gave each a golden emerod as a
    trespass-offering unto the Lord (1 Sam. 6:17). Its gates were
    carried away by Samson (Judg. 16:1-3). Here he was afterwards a
    prisoner, and "did grind in the prison house." Here he also
    pulled down the temple of Dagon, and slew "all the lords of the
    Philistines," himself also perishing in the ruin (Judg.
    16:21-30). The prophets denounce the judgments of God against it
    (Jer. 25:20; 47:5; Amos 1:6, 7; Zeph. 2:4). It is referred to in
    Acts 8:26. Philip is here told to take the road from Jerusalem
    to Gaza (about 6 miles south-west of Jerusalem), "which is
    desert", i.e., the "desert road," probably by Hebron, through
    the desert hills of Southern Judea. (See SAMSON.)

      It is noticed on monuments as early as B.C. 1600. Its small
    port is now called el-Mineh.



 Gaza, strong; a goat