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Bible Dictionaries
Rameses
Fausset's Bible Dictionary
or There is mentioned in Egyptian monuments RΗΜSS , son of Aahmes I (Lepsius); the new Pharaoh "that knew not Joseph." The Pharaohs of the 19th dynasty of Rama (Rameses ΙΙ was the great conqueror) two centuries later have a final -u , Ramessu. In Genesis 47:11 Rama is the name of a district. In Exodus 1:11 Raamses is the city which already existed, but which the Israelites now strengthened as a treasure city. Rameses II fortified and enlarged it long after. Septuagint make Rama the Heroopolis of later times. It and Pithom were on the canal dug under Osirtasin of the 12th dynasty. Derived from Ra-mes , "child of Ra" the sun god. The Egyptians called themselves "children of Ra" front the earliest times, even "Mizraim" may be from Μis-ra .
The name Rama would fitly apply to Goshen which was especially associated with sun worship. Aahmes I built cities in the Delta, especially on the eastern quarter from whence the invading shepherds had come, and was likely as restorer of the sun (Ra ) worship to have given the name Rama to the treasure city which Israel fortified there, as he gave it also to his son. Besides Ρi ("city") should appear before Rama if it were the Egyptian designation from the name of king Rameses. When Rameses II enlarged it its name was Rama Meiamon, not Rama simply. Moreover, when enlarged by him it was the center of a large Egyptian festive population, whereas in Exodus 1:11 it is in the midst of oppressed Israelites. Lepsius makes Aboo Kesheyd to be on the site.
These files are public domain.
Fausset, Andrew R. Entry for 'Rameses'. Fausset's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/fbd/r/rameses.html. 1949.
