Location
Overview
Memphis, called Noph in the Hebrew Bible, was the venerable capital of Lower Egypt at the apex of the Nile delta, a great centre of power and idolatry. The prophets named it in their oracles against Egypt.
A refuge that fails
Jeremiah warned the remnant who trusted Egypt that its cities would not save them: "Noph and Tahpanhes have broken the crown of thy head" (Jeremiah 2:16).
The idols cut off
Ezekiel declared, "Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also destroy the idols, and I will cause their images to cease out of Noph" (Ezekiel 30:13) — judgment on the heart of Egyptian religion.
A city of mourning
"Noph shall be waste and desolate without an inhabitant" (Jeremiah 46:19); "Noph shall have distresses daily" (Ezekiel 30:16) — the proud capital brought low in the prophetic word.
Events Here
Jeremiah prophesies that Noph (Memphis) shall be laid waste
Scripture References
8 versesIsaiah1 verse
Isaiah 19:13
The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Noph are deceived; they have also seduced Egypt, even they that are the stay of the tribes thereof. they that: or, governors: Heb. corners
Jeremiah4 verses
Jeremiah 2:16
Also the children of Noph and Tahapanes have broken the crown of thy head. have: or, feed on thy crown
Jeremiah 44:1
The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews which dwell in the land of Egypt, which dwell at Migdol, and at Tahpanhes, and at Noph, and in the country of Pathros, saying,
Jeremiah 46:14
Declare ye in Egypt, and publish in Migdol, and publish in Noph and in Tahpanhes: say ye, Stand fast, and prepare thee; for the sword shall devour round about thee.
Jeremiah 46:19
O thou daughter dwelling in Egypt, furnish thyself to go into captivity: for Noph shall be waste and desolate without an inhabitant. furnish: Heb. make thee instruments of captivity
Ezekiel2 verses
Ezekiel 30:13
Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also destroy the idols, and I will cause their images to cease out of Noph; and there shall be no more a prince of the land of Egypt: and I will put a fear in the land of Egypt.
Ezekiel 30:16
And I will set fire in Egypt: Sin shall have great pain, and No shall be rent asunder, and Noph shall have distresses daily.
Hosea1 verse
Hosea 9:6
For, lo, they are gone because of destruction: Egypt shall gather them up, Memphis shall bury them: the pleasant places for their silver, nettles shall possess them: thorns shall be in their tabernacles. destruction: Heb. spoil the: or, their silver shall be desired, the nettle, etc.: Heb. the desire
Archaeology & History
Memphis (Noph) stood near modern Mit Rahina, just south of Cairo, and was for millennia the chief city of Lower Egypt and a centre of the cult of the god Ptah. Its colossal statues and the nearby pyramids and sphinx at Giza testify to the grandeur the prophets declared God would humble.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Memphis (Noph)
Where is Memphis (Noph) today?
Today, Memphis (Noph) corresponds to Mit Rahina, near Cairo, Egypt.
What happened at Memphis (Noph) in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Memphis (Noph) include jeremiah prophesies that noph (memphis) shall be laid waste.
Where is Memphis (Noph) first mentioned in the Bible?
Memphis (Noph) is first mentioned in Isaiah 19:13.
How often is Memphis (Noph) mentioned in the Bible?
Memphis (Noph) is mentioned in 8 verses across 4 books: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea.
What is Noph?
Noph is the Hebrew name for Memphis, the ancient capital of Lower Egypt, repeatedly named in the prophets’ oracles of judgment against Egypt.
Where was Memphis?
At the apex of the Nile delta near modern Cairo (Mit Rahina), one of the greatest cities of ancient Egypt.