Location
Overview
Migdol — the Hebrew word means "tower" or "fortress" — was a fortified point on Egypt's eastern frontier, named among the markers of the Red Sea encampment.
By the sea
Israel encamped "between Migdol and the sea" (Exodus 14:2; Numbers 33:7), the fortress on one side and the water on the other, with Pharaoh's army bearing down.
A frontier stronghold
As a border fortress guarding the approaches to Egypt, Migdol fits Egyptian records of a line of strongholds defending the eastern delta against invaders and watching the desert road.
A later refuge of exiles
Long after, Migdol reappears as a place where Jewish refugees fled after the fall of Jerusalem, and against which Jeremiah prophesied: "Declare ye in Egypt, and publish in Migdol" (Jeremiah 46:14; cf. Jeremiah 44:1; Ezekiel 29:10).
Events Here
Israel encamps between Migdol and the sea
Scripture References
6 versesExodus1 verse
Exodus 14:2
Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea.
Numbers1 verse
Numbers 33:7
And they removed from Etham, and turned again unto Pihahiroth, which is before Baalzephon: and they pitched before Migdol.
Jeremiah2 verses
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.
Ezekiel2 verses
Ezekiel 29:10
Behold, therefore I am against thee, and against thy rivers, and I will make the land of Egypt utterly waste and desolate, from the tower of Syene even unto the border of Ethiopia. utterly: Heb. wastes of waste from: or, from Migdol to Syene Syene: Heb. Seveneh
Ezekiel 30:6
Thus saith the LORD; They also that uphold Egypt shall fall; and the pride of her power shall come down: from the tower of Syene shall they fall in it by the sword, saith the Lord GOD. from: or, from Migdol to Syene
Archaeology & History
"Migdol" was a common Semitic name for a fortress, and Egyptian texts mention frontier strongholds of this type along the eastern delta. The Migdol of the Exodus cannot be pinned to one ruin, but it represents the line of border fortifications Israel passed as it left Egypt.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Migdol
Where is Migdol today?
Today, Migdol corresponds to Egyptian frontier (uncertain).
What does the name Migdol mean?
The name Migdol means “Tower, fortress”.
What happened at Migdol in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Migdol include israel encamps between migdol and the sea.
Where is Migdol first mentioned in the Bible?
Migdol is first mentioned in Exodus 14:2.
How often is Migdol mentioned in the Bible?
Migdol is mentioned in 6 verses across 4 books: Exodus, Numbers, Jeremiah, Ezekiel.
What does Migdol mean?
It means "tower" or "fortress" — a fortified strongpoint. The Migdol of the Exodus was on Egypt’s eastern frontier by the sea.
Is the Exodus Migdol mentioned elsewhere?
A Migdol in Egypt reappears later as a refuge of Jewish exiles after Jerusalem’s fall, named in oracles of Jeremiah and Ezekiel.