### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **Gáza**, represented by `{{G1048}}`, is a proper noun of Hebrew origin referring to **Gazah**, a place in Palestine. It appears **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the Bible, marking it as a specific geographical location within the biblical narrative.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{G1048}}` is in the book of Acts. An angel of the Lord commands Philip to travel to a specific location: "the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto **Gaza**, which is desert" [[Acts 8:26]]. In this context, **Gaza** is not the destination itself, but a landmark defining the path where Philip is sent for a divine purpose. The verse explicitly notes that this area is "desert" `{{G2048}}`.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide a fuller context for the use of **Gáza**:
* `{{G32}}` **ángelos** (a messenger; especially an "angel"): The instruction to go toward Gaza comes directly from an **angel** of the Lord, establishing the divine origin of the command [[Acts 8:26]].
* `{{G2419}}` **Hierousalḗm** (Hierusalem (i.e. Jerushalem), the capitol of Palestine): This is the starting point of the journey, contrasting the established religious center with the remote road to Gaza where Philip is sent [[Acts 8:26]].
* `{{G2048}}` **érēmos** (lonesome, i.e. (by implication) waste): This word describes the area around the road to Gaza as **desert** or solitary, highlighting that God's work takes place even in isolated and seemingly desolate locations [[Acts 8:26]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{G1048}}` is found in its specific narrative role.
* **Divine Sovereignty in Mission:** The command to go to the road leading to **Gaza** illustrates God's precise and sovereign direction in the expansion of the gospel. The Lord, through an angel `{{G32}}`, guides his servant not to a random area, but to a specific "way" [[Acts 8:26]].
* **The Gospel Reaches Remote Places:** By directing Philip from **Jerusalem** `{{G2419}}`, the heart of the early church, to a "desert" `{{G2048}}` road near **Gaza**, scripture demonstrates that God's plan is not limited to major population centers. His purpose extends to the solitary and overlooked parts of the world.
* **A Geographical Setting for a Divine Appointment:** The mention of **Gaza** serves to establish a physical location for a pivotal encounter. It is a geographical anchor for a story of obedience and evangelism, showing that real places are the settings for God's work in history.
### Summary
In summary, `{{G1048}}` **Gáza** functions as a specific geographical marker in its single biblical occurrence. It is not the focus of a theological discourse but rather the landmark for a journey of obedience commanded by God. The mention of **Gaza** in [[Acts 8:26]] underscores that God's redemptive plan is enacted in real, historical places, from the capital city of **Jerusalem** to a desolate desert road.
TRV