Bible Dictionaries
Gozan

Holman Bible Dictionary

(goh' zan) Place name of uncertain meaning, possibly, “quarry.” A Syrian city-state to which the Assyrians exiled many of the people from Israel after they defeated Israel in 732 (1 Chronicles 5:26 ) and 722 (2 Kings 17:6; 2 Kings 18:11 ). Assyria had previously conquered Gozan (2 Kings 19:12 ). Gozan is probably located at modern tel Halaf in northwestern Mesopotamia on the southern bank of the River Khabur. Archaeology shows the city was built after 1000 B.C., though some Stone Age habitation is evidenced. The city included 150 acres with temples and government buildings. Excavators found documents with apparently Hebrew names, perhaps people deported by Assyria.