Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, fishermen held a significant role in the economy and daily life of communities, particularly in regions surrounding the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean Sea. Fishing was a common occupation, and the skills and tools associated with it are frequently mentioned in the Bible, symbolizing various spiritual truths and lessons.
Old Testament ContextFishing is mentioned in the Old Testament, though not as prominently as in the New Testament. The practice is alluded to in prophetic and poetic literature. For example, in
Jeremiah 16:16, God declares, "Behold, I will send for many fishermen, declares the LORD, and they will catch them." Here, fishing is used metaphorically to describe God's gathering of His people.
New Testament ContextThe New Testament provides a more detailed picture of fishermen, particularly in the Gospels. The Sea of Galilee was a hub for fishing activity, and many of Jesus' disciples were fishermen by trade. This profession was demanding, requiring knowledge of the waters, weather patterns, and the use of nets and boats.
The Calling of the DisciplesSeveral of Jesus' closest followers were fishermen, including Peter, Andrew, James, and John. In
Matthew 4:18-19 , it is recorded, "As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 'Come, follow Me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.'" This calling signifies a transformation from a physical vocation to a spiritual mission, emphasizing evangelism and the gathering of souls into God's kingdom.
Symbolism and ParablesFishing imagery is prevalent in Jesus' teachings. In the Parable of the Net (
Matthew 13:47-50), Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a net that gathers fish of every kind, illustrating the final judgment where the righteous are separated from the wicked. This parable underscores the comprehensive nature of the Gospel message and the eventual sorting of believers and non-believers.
Miraculous CatchesThe Gospels recount miraculous catches of fish, demonstrating Jesus' divine authority and provision. In
Luke 5:4-7 , after a fruitless night of fishing, Jesus instructs Peter to "Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch." The resulting abundance of fish astonishes the fishermen and leads Peter to recognize Jesus' holiness. Similarly, after His resurrection, Jesus appears to His disciples by the Sea of Tiberias and again provides a miraculous catch (
John 21:6-11), reinforcing His identity and mission.
Cultural and Economic ImportanceFishing was not only a means of sustenance but also a vital part of the local economy. Fish were a staple in the diet of the people, and the trade of fish supported many families. The presence of fish markets and the use of fish as a symbol in early Christian communities highlight its cultural significance.
Spiritual LessonsThe life of a fisherman, with its challenges and rewards, serves as a metaphor for the Christian life. Patience, perseverance, and faith are essential qualities for both fishermen and believers. The call to be "fishers of men" remains a powerful directive for Christians to spread the Gospel and draw others to Christ.
In summary, the role of fishermen in the Bible extends beyond their economic contributions, offering rich spiritual symbolism and lessons that continue to resonate with believers today.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) One whose occupation is to catch fish.
2. (n.) A ship or vessel employed in the business of taking fish, as in the cod fishery.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
FISHER; FISHERMANfish'-er fish'-er-man (dayyagh, dawwagh; halieus; Westcott and Hort, The New Testament in Greek haleeus):
Although but few references to fishermen are made in the Bible, these men and their calling are brought into prominence by Jesus' call to certain Galilee fishermen to become His disciples (Matthew 4:18, 19Mark 1:16, 17). Fishermen, then as now, formed a distinct class. The strenuousness of the work (Luke 5:2) ruled out the weak and indolent. They were crude in manner, rough in speech and in their treatment of others (Luke 9:49, 54John 18:10). James and John before they became tempered by Jesus' influence were nicknamed the "sons of thunder" (Mark 3:17). The fishermen's exposure to all kinds of weather made them hardy and fearless. They were accustomed to bear with patience many trying circumstances. They often toiled for hours without success, and yet were always ready to try once more (Luke 5:5John 21:3). Such men, when impelled by the same spirit as filled their Master, became indeed "fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19Mark 1:17).
One of the striking instances of the fulfillment of prophecy is the use by the Syrian fishermen today of the site of ancient Tyre as a place for the spreading of their nets (Ezekiel 26:5, 14).
Figurative: Fish were largely used as food (Habakkuk 1:16), hence, the lamentation of the fishermen, who provided for all, typified general desolation (Isaiah 19:8). On the other hand, abundance of fish and many fishermen indicated general abundance (Ezekiel 47:10). Our modern expression, "treated like a dog," had its counterpart in the language of the Old Testament writers, when they portrayed the punished people of Judah as being treated like fish. Yahweh would send many fishers to fish them up and put sticks or hooks through their cheeks as a fisherman strings his fish (Jeremiah 16:16Job 41:2). Such treatment of the people of Judah is depicted on some of the Assyrian monuments.
James A. Patch
Greek
231. halieus -- afisherman... a
fisherman. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: halieus Phonetic Spelling:
(hal-ee-yoos') Short Definition: a
fisherman Definition: a
fisherman.
...Strong's Hebrew
1728. davvag -- afisherman... 1727, 1728. davvag. 1729 . a
fisherman. Transliteration: davvag Phonetic
Spelling: (dav-vawg') Short Definition: fishermen. Word
...1771. davvag -- fisher
... davvag or diyyag. 1772 . fisher. Transliteration: davvag or diyyag Phonetic Spelling:
(dah-yawg') Short Definition:fisherman.... From diyg; afisherman -- fisher...
Library
November the Thirteenth a TransformedFisherman
... NOVEMBER The Thirteenth A TRANSFORMEDFISHERMAN. "Simon Peter saith unto
them, I go a fishing." "John 21:1-14. Simon Peter had...
The South Wind: aFisherman's Blessings
... THE SOUTH WIND: AFISHERMAN'S BLESSINGS. O blessed drums of Aldershot! O blessed
South-west train! O blessed, blessed Speaker's clock, All prophesying rain!...
John i. 1
... by name. Of this he was, [19] and his father a poorfisherman, so poor
that he took his sons to the same employment. Now you all...
An Unheeded Warning
... It was the story of the oldfisherman who took his little boy with him to fish and
found that on his accustomed fishing grounds he was unsuccessful; so...
On the Second Part of the Psalm.
... and having emptied out their souls by confession of sins, hath filled them with
the richness of righteousness: He who was able to enrich thefisherman, who, by...
Jesus and Peter.
... So in the two names, Simon and Peter, we have, first the rudefisherman who came
to Jesus that day, the man as he was before Jesus began his work on him; and...
The Call by the Sea
... What a scene was this for angels to contemplate; their glorious Commander, sitting
in afisherman's boat, swayed to and fro by the restless waves, and...
One Hank Over for the Candle.
... When she was a young girl there had been a wild storm, and her father, out in
hisfisherman's boat, lost his life. There were no shore-lights....
Letter xv. To Pope Damasus.
... 2), Jerome asks "the successor of thefisherman" two questions, viz.: (1) who is
the true bishop of the three claimants of the see of Antioch, and (2) which is...
The Likeness of the Son to the Father Being Proved...
... Conceive any length of time you will, yet still the Son "was." [1779]. 57. Now in
this short passage ourfisherman hath barred the way of all heresy....
Thesaurus
Fisherman (1 Occurrence)... fishery. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FISHER;
FISHERMAN. fish
... monuments. James
A. Patch. Multi-Version Concordance
Fisherman (1 Occurrence). Mark
...Fisherman's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version ConcordanceFisherman's (1 Occurrence). John 21:7 This made
the disciple whom Jesus loved say to Peter, "It is the...
Fisher (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) A carnivorous animal of the Weasel family (Mustela Canadensis); the pekan;
the black cat. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FISHER;FISHERMAN....
Fishing (4 Occurrences)
... coast. It is used at night by torchlight. (3) With Nets: In the most familiar
Bible stories offisherman life a net was used. Today...
Zebedee (11 Occurrences)
... A Galileanfisherman, the husband of Salome (qv), and the father of James and John,
two of our Lord's disciples (Matthew 4:21; 27:56; Mark 15:40)....
Fishermen (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural ofFisherman. Multi-Version Concordance
Fishermen (8 Occurrences). Matthew 4:18 Walking by...
James (40 Occurrences)
... the apostle. He was one of the twelve. He was by trade afisherman, in
partnership with Peter (Matthew 20:20; 27:56). With John...
Andrew (12 Occurrences)
... Andrew had spent his earlier years as afisherman on the Sea of Galilee, but on
learning of the fame of John the Baptist, he departed along with a band of his...
Nathanael (6 Occurrences)
... See next article. NATHANAEL (2). (nethan'el, "God has given"; Nathanael): Nathanael,
who was probably afisherman, belonged to Cana in Galilee (John 21:2...
Nets (33 Occurrences)
... 1:16 One day, passing along the shore of the Lake of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew,
Simon's brother, throwing their nets in the Lake; for they werefisherman...
Resources
Who was Peter in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Andrew in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho can be saved? | GotQuestions.orgFisherman: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
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