mizraim Summary and Overview

the dual form of matzor, meaning a "mound" or "fortress," the name of a people descended from Ham (Gen. 10:6, 13; 1 Chr. 1:8, 11). It was the name generally given by the Hebrews to the land of Egypt (q.v.), and may denote the two Egypts, the Upper and the Lower. The modern Arabic name for Egypt is Muzr.

MIZ'RAIM (limits, borders), the name by which the Hebrews generally designated Egypt, apparently from Mizraim, the son of Ham. Gen 10:6, 2 Kgs 11:13. This name is in the dual form, and denoted either lower and upper Egypt or two divisions of that land. Gen 45:20; Gen 46:34; Gen 47:6, Gen 47:13. Sometimes it seems to be employed to designate lower Egypt, to the exclusion of Pathros or upper Egypt. Isa 11:11:Jer 44:15. See Egypt.

Dual of mazor, Hebrew a "fortified place"; Gesenius, from Arabic meser, a "boundary". Rather the Egyptian Mes-ra-n, "children of Ra" the Sun. Son of Ham, ancestor of the Mizraim; the dual indicating the people of Upper and of Lower Egypt (Genesis 10:6). The descent of the Egyptians from Ham is recognized in Psalm 104:23; Psalm 104:27; Psalm 78:51, where Egypt is called "the land of Ham." They called themselves Khemi, either "Hamites" or from Khem "black," namely, the alluvial soil of the Nile. Mizraim geographically was the center from whence colonies went forth in the age just after the flood, the Philistines, the Lehabim (Libyans), etc. (See HAM; EGYPT.)