Memphis, otherwise Noph

(dwelling of the good) (Hos 9:6; Isa 19:13 and elsewhere) — a well-known city in Egypt, one of the most ancient and populous. The center of the city lay a short distance south of Cairo, on the west bank of the Nile. It is generally believed that the site of Memphis is marked by the location where the pyramids of Giza now stand. Tradition says that Memphis was founded shortly after the Flood and was the capital of a whole series of kings of thirty dynasties, even to the time of Nebuchadnezzar, who destroyed it.

Memphis then revived and rose again to its former ancient greatness, but the conquests of Alexander of Macedon and the building of Alexandria caused its gradual decline and fall. Ancient historians repeatedly attest to its greatness and antiquity, especially Herodotus, Diodorus, and Strabo. According to the accounts that have come down to us, Memphis was a city of enormous size, though its ruins today are for the most part insignificant and of little importance compared with the ruins of hundred-gated Thebes — except perhaps that five miles from Memphis (according to Strabo, three miles) stand the pyramid of Giza and the famous Sphinx.

The chief landmark of Memphis is the damaged colossal statue of Ramesses the Great, which in its original form stood 43 feet high. It is thought that the division of the Nile into two branches originally took place at Memphis (at present somewhat lower along the river’s course). Memphis was also famed for its celebrated labyrinth, built by twelve pharaohs. Biblical references to this ancient city are not infrequent. The prophet Isaiah mentions the princes of Memphis (19:13). The prophet Isaiah says: “Memphis shall bury them,” that is, the unfaithful Israelites (9:6[?]).

According to the testimony of modern travelers, the environs of the city to this day abound in tombs and burial grounds of every kind. Jeremiah mentions the residence of Jews at Memphis, the invasion of Nebuchadnezzar, and the utter desolation that was to befall this ancient city. “Noph (that is, Memphis) shall be waste and desolate,” he says, “without an inhabitant” (46:19). Ezekiel foretells the fall of the city and makes a particular reference to its idols (30:13, 16). Some ancient writers also mention the idols of Memphis with particular emphasis.

All the predictions concerning Memphis contained in the writings of these prophets have undoubtedly been fulfilled with remarkable precision. In relatively recent times a great many valuable excavations have been made in the environs of Memphis.