{
  "id": "dict_005690",
  "term": "Thebes",
  "slug": "thebes",
  "letter": "T",
  "entry_type": "biblical_place",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "Thebes was an ancient Egyptian city, commonly identified with the biblical No or No-amon, and appears in the prophets as an example of a once-great power brought low.",
  "simple_one_line": "Thebes was a major Egyptian city, commonly identified with biblical No/No-amon.",
  "tooltip_text": "An ancient Egyptian city mentioned in the prophets as a warning example of judgment on a powerful nation.",
  "aliases": [],
  "scripture_references": [],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [
    "Egypt",
    "No",
    "No-amon",
    "Nahum",
    "Jeremiah",
    "Ezekiel"
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "No",
    "No-amon",
    "Amon",
    "Egypt",
    "Nineveh",
    "prophetic judgment"
  ],
  "lede_intro": "Thebes was one of ancient Egypt’s greatest cities. In the Old Testament it is commonly linked with No or No-amon, where the prophets used its fall to illustrate God’s judgment on proud powers.",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "Ancient Egyptian city commonly identified with biblical No/No-amon.",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [
    "Major center in Upper Egypt",
    "commonly identified with No or No-amon",
    "used by the prophets as an example of judgment",
    "a place-name, not a doctrine term."
  ],
  "description_academic_short": "Thebes was a major city of ancient Egypt, commonly identified with the biblical No or No-amon. In the prophets it functions as a historical example of a powerful city humbled under divine judgment.",
  "description_academic_full": "Thebes was one of the great cities of ancient Egypt and is commonly identified with the biblical No or No-amon. In Scripture it appears as a historical and geographical reference point, especially in prophetic passages that use its downfall as an example that even celebrated cities are not beyond God’s judgment. Because the term names a real place rather than a theological concept, it belongs in a biblical place entry. The identification with No/No-amon is widely accepted and is sufficient for ordinary Bible reading, though the entry should be understood as historical-geographical rather than doctrinal.",
  "background_biblical_context": "The prophets mention Thebes/No as a powerful Egyptian city that had once seemed secure but was not able to escape judgment. These passages use the city as a reminder that earthly greatness does not protect against God’s rule over the nations.",
  "background_historical_context": "Thebes was a major city in Upper Egypt and a prominent center of political and religious life in the ancient world. Its size, prestige, and association with Egyptian power made it a fitting biblical illustration of a famous city brought low.",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "Ancient readers would likely have recognized Thebes as a symbol of Egyptian strength and splendor. In prophetic usage it stands as a sober example that even the most impressive human powers are subject to the Lord.",
  "key_texts_primary": [
    "Nahum 3:8",
    "Jeremiah 46:25",
    "Ezekiel 30:14-16"
  ],
  "key_texts_secondary": [
    "See also biblical references to Egypt’s downfall and the prophetic use of historical examples."
  ],
  "original_language_note": "The Hebrew Bible refers to this city as No and No-amon; “Thebes” is the conventional historical English name for the Egyptian city.",
  "theological_significance": "Thebes illustrates the biblical theme that God humbles proud nations and that no earthly power is beyond His judgment.",
  "philosophical_explanation": "As a historical example, Thebes shows the limits of human greatness and the instability of political power apart from God.",
  "interpretive_cautions": "The identification of biblical No/No-amon with Thebes is widely accepted, but the entry should be read as a historical-geographical reference rather than a standalone theological concept.",
  "major_views_note": "Most interpreters identify No and No-amon with Thebes in Egypt. The main point in the biblical texts is not debate over the city’s fame but the lesson drawn from its downfall.",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "This entry concerns biblical history and geography, not a doctrine or a matter of church authority.",
  "practical_significance": "Thebes warns readers against pride, false security, and confidence in worldly greatness. It also reinforces the biblical pattern that God rules over nations and judges them justly.",
  "meta_description": "Thebes was an ancient Egyptian city commonly identified with biblical No or No-amon, used in Scripture as an example of divine judgment.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/thebes/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/thebes.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}