What is…
Zoan, aka Tanis

also known as: Field of Zoan, Tsoan, and City of Rameses

Hebrew: צֹעַן —transliteration: Tsoan —meaning: Zoan —occurrences: 7 in Numbers, Psalms, Isaiah, and Ezekiel

Old Egyptian: Sant = “stronghold,” the modern San

Great Sphinx of Tanis (aka Zoan) sculpted in rose granite quarried in Syene (Aswan)

This key ancient Egyptian city lies in the north-eastern Nile Delta. It was built 7 years after the city of Hebron in the Judean mountains (Numbers 13:22), predating major Canaanite cities and existing around Abraham's time (circa 1943 BC). This underscores Egypt’s longstanding civilization compared to Canaan and Israel's emerging one.

Zoan’s name occurs 7 times in Scripture (Numbers 13:22; Psalm 78:12; 78:43; Isaiah 19:11; 19:13; 30:4; Ezekiel 30:14).

This great and important city was the capital of the Hyksos, or Shepherd kings, who ruled Egypt for more than 500 years.

Moses and the Israelites

Zoan was on the frontier of the land of Goshen. This city was also called the city of Rameses, because that oppressor rebuilt and embellished Zoan, probably by the forced labor of the Hebrews, making it his northern capital.

Here this Pharaoh was holding his court at the time of his being confronted by Moses and Aaron, speaking on behalf of God.

He [God] did wonders before their fathers in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan. …wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan. —Psalm 78:12, 43 excerpt

The “field of Zoan” refers to the fertile plain around the city, which is the site of God’s miracles during the 10 plagues upon Egypt described in Exodus 7–12.

Zoan represents Egypt’s hubris—ancient, powerful, and skilled, thinking of themselves as very wise, yet humbled by God. God's miraculous signs of his true power (plagues) demonstrated supremacy over nature, Egypt’s false gods and pharaoh's magicians. God is sovereign of all nations and people.

• Answers about the plagues
• What miracles are mentioned in the Bible?
• Is it logical to believe that the biblical miracles really happened?
• What is The Exodus in the Bible?
• What is the sovereignty of God?

The Greeks later called this city Tanis.

Archaeology

Ruins at Tanis reveal temples, obelisks, tombs, and beautiful artifacts from biblical eras, including Hyksos fortifications, supporting its role as a royal seat. However, much of the original city lies under later layers of ruins, leaving it a “barren waste” today.