פַּתְרוֹס (pat.ros)
pat.ros
Pathros
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The proper noun Pathros refers to Upper Egypt, the southern region of the Nile Valley. In the Hebrew Bible, it serves as a specific geographical marker rather than a general term for the entire country. The sources identify it as the ancestral home of the Pathrusim people, distinguishing this area from other Egyptian territories mentioned in scripture.
This word appears only three times, all within prophetic literature: Isaiah 11:11, Jeremiah 44:1, and Ezekiel 29:14. Its usage highlights Egypt’s distinct cultural and political identity. For instance, Jeremiah 44:1 notes that refugees had settled in Pathros after fleeing Judah, while Ezekiel 29:14 speaks of restoring the land of Pathros. These references underscore its role as a place of both refuge and judgment.
The term likely derives from a root meaning "south," reflecting its location relative to Babylon or Assyria. By specifying Pathros, the biblical authors emphasize the depth of Egyptian influence and the complexity of Israel’s interactions with its powerful southern neighbor. This precision helps readers understand the geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Pathros identifies Upper Egypt, the southern stretch of the Nile Valley. In Isaiah 11:11, it stands alongside Assyria and Cush as a place from which God will gather His remnant. This detail shows that no matter how far people wander or how complex their circumstances become, God’s reach extends to every corner of the earth. He knows where His people are, even in distant lands.
Jeremiah 44 records Jews living in Pathros who chose to stay in Egypt despite God’s warning. Their decision highlights the tension between human fear and divine direction. While the text describes their disobedience, it also preserves their story as a sobering reminder of the costs of turning away from God’s clear guidance.
Ezekiel 29:14 mentions God restoring the land of Pathros. This promise points to God’s sovereignty over nations, not just Israel. It reminds us that history is under His control, and He works out His purposes through the rise and fall of empires. We can trust that God is always at work, even when the path seems unclear.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in/ Pathros1×
- and/ from/ Pathros1×
- Pathros1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פַּתְר֖וֹס1×
- וּ/מִ/פַּתְר֣וֹס1×
- בְּ/פַתְר֥וֹס1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 11:11
It will happen in that day that the Lord will set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant that is left of his people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.
This verse lists Pathros among distant lands from which God will gather His remnant, emphasizing the extent of His saving reach.
-
Jeremiah 44:1
The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews who lived in the land of Egypt, who lived at Migdol, and at Tahpanhes, and at Memphis, and in the country of Pathros, saying,
Here, Pathros is named as a specific settlement area for Jewish refugees, highlighting their physical separation from Judah and Jerusalem.
-
Jeremiah 44:15
Then all the men who knew that their wives burned incense to other gods, and all the women who stood by, a great assembly, even all the people who lived in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, saying,
The people in Pathros explicitly reject Jeremiah’s message, showing how deeply entrenched they were in their idolatrous practices in that region.