Location
Overview
Pithom is named alongside Rameses as one of the two "treasure cities" built by the Hebrews during their slavery in Egypt.
A city of bondage
"And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses" (Exodus 1:11). The verse stands at the head of the Exodus narrative, summing up the affliction that would provoke Israel's cry and God's deliverance.
Toil in brick
The building of these cities is the backdrop to the famous demand for bricks without straw — "ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick" (Exodus 5:7) — the cruelty that set the stage for the plagues.
Near the route of the Exodus
Lying in the Wadi Tumilat, on the eastern approaches to the delta, Pithom stood near the very corridor by which Israel would soon leave Egypt for the wilderness.
Events Here
Israelites build the store city of Pithom in bondage
Scripture References
1 verseExodus1 verse
Exodus 1:11
Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.
Archaeology & History
Pithom — Egyptian Pi-Atum, "house of the god Atum" — is generally located in the Wadi Tumilat of the eastern delta, with Tell el-Maskhuta and Tell el-Retabeh the leading candidate sites. Both have yielded New Kingdom remains consistent with the store-city of Exodus.
Frequently asked about Pithom
Where is Pithom today?
Today, Pithom corresponds to Tell el-Maskhuta / Tell el-Retabeh (debated).
What does the name Pithom mean?
The name Pithom means “House of (the god) Atum”.
What happened at Pithom in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Pithom include israelites build the store city of pithom in bondage.
Where is Pithom first mentioned in the Bible?
Pithom is first mentioned in Exodus 1:11.
How often is Pithom mentioned in the Bible?
Pithom is mentioned in 1 verse across 1 book: Exodus.
What was Pithom?
One of the two Egyptian store (treasure) cities the enslaved Israelites built for Pharaoh, named with Rameses in Exodus 1:11.
What does Pithom mean?
It derives from the Egyptian Pi-Atum, "the house of (the god) Atum."