Gozan

GOZAN, a River whereof there is mention made in several places of the 2 Kings xvii. 6. xviii. 11. xix. 12. 1 Chr. v. 26.Scripture. It appears by the 2 Kings xix. 12. and Isaiah xxxvii. 11. that Gozan was the name likewise of a Province or Nation; the same in all probability, that the river Gozan ran through. Salmanesèr, after he had subdued the Israelites of the ten Tribes, carried them beyond the Euphrates to a country bordering upon the river Gozan; and Sennecharib boasts, that the Kings his predecessors had conquered the People of Gozan, Haran, and others. We have nothing more to do therefore, but to find, if we can, where beyond the Euphrates this river or nation of Gozan lay. Ptolemy places the Gauzanitis in Mesopotamia. Pliny says, that the Province Elon-gozine extends itself towards the Sources of the Tigris. There is a Canton in Media called Gauzan between the rivers Cyrus and Cambyses. Ptolemy places the City of Gauzania in the same country; and Benjamin of Tudela says, that Gozan is in Media, four days journey from Hemdam. The Rabbins take Gozan for the river Sabbaticus, which never flows, as they affirm, upon the Sabbath-day; and upon this day is encompassed with fire, to prevent any one’s approaching it. This is what we find concerning the river Gozan.

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