“Gaza” From Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(strong). Hebrew Azzah, now Ghuzzeh. A city of Philistia (Gen. 10:19); assigned to Judah (Josh. 10:41; 15:47; Judg. 1:18); scene of Samson’s exploits (Judg. 16; 1 Kings 4:24; Acts 8:26).
“Azzah” From Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(strong). For GAZA (Deut. 2:23; 1 Kings 4:24; Jer. 25:20).
“Gaza” From Concise Bible Dictionary:
1. One of the five royal cities of the Philistines. We read of it as early as Genesis 10:19 as a border of the Canaanites. The Anakim dwelt there, but Judah was able to take Gaza and the coasts thereof (Josh. 11:22; Judg. 1:18). In the time of Samson, however, the Philistines were in possession, and he was made a prisoner there (Judg. 16:21). It was held afterward by Solomon, 1 Kings 4:24 (where it is called AZZAH, as it is also in Deut. 2:23 and Jer. 25:20); but had to be taken again by Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:8). It was afterward smitten by Pharaoh (Jer. 47:1,5). Having been a stronghold of the Philistines, woes were pronounced against it by the prophets (Amos 1:6-7; Zeph. 2:4; Zech. 9:5).
Gaza was the S.W. frontier town of Palestine, and did a large trade with the caravans to and from Egypt. It was taken by Cambyses, the Ptolemies, and by Alexander the Great, and was held in the twelfth century by the Knights Templars. It now forms the capital of the Turkish province. It is still a large though straggling town without walls, about two miles from the sea, though in some of the ancient documents it is called a maritime city. It is now called Ghuzzeh or Gaza, 31° 30' N, 34° 28' E. Acts 8:26 signifies that the way from Jerusalem to Gaza was desert. This is supposed to refer to the road through Hebron, for after leaving that city it is comparatively desert.
2. City of Ephraim (1 Chron. 7:28); but here many MSS read Ayyah.
Gaza Ruins
“Azzah” From Concise Bible Dictionary:
See GAZA.
Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew Words:
Meaning:
feminine of 5794; strong; Azzah, a place in Palestine
Jackson’s Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names:
she was strong
Potts’ Bible Proper Names:
Whole; complete; strong:―town in the S. W. of Palestine [AZZAH], Gen. 10:19. {Valida}