Raamses, Rameses

Ray-am´seez

One of two store-cities (the other was Pithom) built by the Hebrews for Pharaoh (Exod 1:11). It was from Raamses that the Israelites departed on the exodus (Exod 12:37; Num 33:3; Num 33:5). Named after Rameses II (1279–1212 BCE), who is often considered the pharaoh of the exodus, Raamses served as the Delta residence for the succeeding kings of the nineteenth and twentieth dynasties (ca. 1212–1070 BCE). Formerly identified with Tanis (modern San el-Haga), it is now believed to have been about fifteen miles south of Tanis.