![]() Peter, Andrew, James, and John had all been working as fishermen earning a living on the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 4:13–22). Many momentous events in the life of Jesus took place around the Sea of Galilee, including the calling of several disciples. In John’s Gospel, the apostle calls it the “Sea of Tiberias” (John 6:1 21:1). Capernaum, a dominant setting in the ministry of Jesus, was the center of that fishing industry (Matthew 4:18–22 Mark 1:16–20 Luke 5:10, 11).īy the first century, the Sea of Galilee had been renamed the “Lake of Gennesaret” or “Sea of Gennesaret” (Luke 5:1). Being the only significant freshwater lake in the region, the Sea of Galilee supported a flourishing fishing industry. Its semi-tropical climate combined with the sulfur springs in Tiberias made the Sea of Galilee a popular health resort destination for sick people. Most of the roads in ancient Galilee passed near the sea, and many travelers crossed the Jordan Rift there. In New Testament times, the Sea of Galilee was an important commercial area surrounded by Capernaum, Chorazin, Bethsaida, Magdala, and Tiberias. Jesus, coming from His hometown of Nazareth, fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy. The prophet Isaiah foretold that the Messiah would come from the region of Galilee (Isaiah 9:1–2, 6). The area included the lands of Naphtali, Zebulun, and Issachar (Joshua 19). Some scholars think this name comes from a Hebrew word meaning “harp.” Most Old Testament references to the Sea of Galilee are related to tribal allocations (Numbers 34:11 Deuteronomy 3:17 Joshua 13:27 19:35). In the Old Testament, the Sea of Galilee is called the “Sea of Chinnereth” or “Chinneroth” (Numbers 34:11 Joshua 12:3 13:27), named after the town, which is also spelled Kinnereth (Joshua 19:35). The Jordan River, the Sea of Galilee, and the Dead Sea are all located in the Rift Valley, a geological fissure that forms the longest and deepest crack in the earth’s crust. The Jordan River continues out the south end of the Sea of Galilee, flowing downhill until it ends at the Dead Sea. Situated below the headwaters of the Jordan River, the Sea of Galilee is fed with fresh water from snow-topped Mount Hermon and Mount Lebanon. Approximately 13 miles long and 7.5 miles wide at its broadest point near Magdala, the sea resembles the shape of a harp. The Sea of Galilee is a vast freshwater expanse located in the Jordan Valley about 60 miles north of Jerusalem. Many of the events in the earthly life of Jesus Christ took place in the region of Galilee and areas surrounding the Sea of Galilee. The Sea of Galilee is one of the most familiar bodies of water in the Bible, especially to readers of the Gospels.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |