Topical Encyclopedia
The Sea of Galilee, also known as Lake Gennesaret, Lake Tiberias, or the Sea of Kinnereth, is a freshwater lake in the northeastern region of Israel. It holds significant historical and spiritual importance in the biblical narrative, particularly in the New Testament. The Sea of Galilee is approximately 13 miles long and 8 miles wide, making it the largest freshwater lake in Israel. It is situated about 700 feet below sea level, making it one of the lowest-lying bodies of water on earth.
Geographical and Historical ContextThe Sea of Galilee is fed primarily by the Jordan River, which flows from the north and exits to the south. The surrounding region is characterized by fertile plains and hills, which have supported agriculture and fishing for millennia. In biblical times, the area was densely populated with towns and villages, including Capernaum, Bethsaida, and Tiberias, which played crucial roles in the ministry of Jesus Christ.
Biblical SignificanceThe Sea of Galilee is prominently featured in the Gospels as the backdrop for many events in the life and ministry of Jesus. It is here that Jesus called His first disciples, Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John, who were fishermen by trade. The Gospel of Matthew records this calling: "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" (
Matthew 4:18).
The Sea of Galilee is also the site of several of Jesus' miracles. One of the most well-known is the calming of the storm, where Jesus rebuked the winds and the waves, demonstrating His authority over nature. The Gospel of Mark recounts this event: "Then He got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. 'Silence!' He commanded. 'Be still!' And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm" (
Mark 4:39).
Another significant miracle is the feeding of the five thousand, which took place on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus multiplied five loaves and two fish to feed a large crowd, showcasing His compassion and divine provision (
Matthew 14:13-21).
Symbolism and Theological ThemesThe Sea of Galilee serves as a symbol of the divine-human encounter, where Jesus' teachings and miracles reveal His identity as the Son of God. The lake's unpredictable weather and sudden storms are often seen as metaphors for the trials and challenges of life, with Jesus' calming of the storm symbolizing His power to bring peace and order.
The calling of the disciples by the Sea of Galilee underscores the theme of discipleship and the transformative power of Jesus' invitation to follow Him. The miraculous events that occurred on and around the lake highlight themes of faith, trust, and the abundance of God's provision.
Cultural and Religious ImpactThe Sea of Galilee continues to be a place of pilgrimage for Christians worldwide, who visit to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and reflect on the profound events that took place there. Its serene beauty and historical significance make it a focal point for spiritual reflection and renewal.
In summary, the Sea of Galilee is not only a geographical landmark but also a central element in the narrative of Jesus' ministry, embodying the intersection of the divine and the earthly, and serving as a testament to the enduring power and presence of Christ in the world.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Sea of GalileeSEA OF GALILEE
SeeGALILEE, SEA OF.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Sea Of GalileeSo called from the province of Galilee, which bordered on the western side. (Matthew 4:18) It was also called the "Sea of Tiberias," from the celebrated city of that name. (John 6:1) At its northwestern angle was a beautiful and fertile plain called "Gennesaret," and from that it derived the name of "Lake of Gennesaret." (Luke 5:1) It was called in the Old Testament "the Sea of Chinnereth" or "Cinneroth," (Numbers 34:11;Joshua 12:3) from a town of that name which stood on or near its shore. (Joshua 19:35) Its modern name isBahr Tubariyeh . Most of our Lord's public life was spent in the environs of this sea. The surrounding region was then the most densely peopled in all Palestine. no less thannine very populous cities stood on the very shores of the lake. The Sea of Galilee is of an oval long and six broad. It is 60 miles northeast of Jerusalem and 27 east of the Mediterranean Sea. The river Jordan enters it at its northern end and passes out at its southern end. In fact the bed of the lake is just a lower section of the Great Jordan valley. Its more remarkable feature is its deep depression, being no less than 700 feet below the level of the ocean. The scenery is bleak and monotonous, being surrounded by a high and almost unbroken wall of hills, on account of which it is exposed to frequent sudden and violent storms. The great depression makes the climate of the shores almost tropical. This is very sensibly felt by the traveller in going down from the plains of Galilee. In summer the heat is intense, and even in early spring the air has something of an Egyptian balminess. The water of the lake is sweet, cool and transparent; and as the beach is everywhere pebbly is has a beautiful sparkling look. It abounds in fish now as in ancient times. There were large fisheries on the lake, and much commerce was carried on upon it.
Greek
5085. Tiberias -- Tiberias, a city ofGalilee, also another name...... Tiberias, a city of
Galilee, also another name for the
Sea of
Galilee. Part of Speech:
Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Tiberias Phonetic Spelling: (tib-er-ee-as
...966. Bethsaida -- "house of fish," Bethsaida, the name of two...
... 965, 966. Bethsaida. 967 . "house of fish," Bethsaida, the name of two
cities on the shore of theSea ofGalilee. Part of Speech...
1148. Dalmanoutha -- Dalmanutha, an unidentified place near the...
... Dalmanutha, an unidentified place near theSea ofGalilee. Part of Speech: Proper
Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration: Dalmanoutha Phonetic Spelling: (dal-man-oo...
3093. Magadan -- Magadan, an unidentified place near theSea of...
... Magadan, an unidentified place near theSea ofGalilee. Part of Speech: Proper Noun,
Indeclinable Transliteration: Magadan Phonetic Spelling: (mag-dal-ah...
1082. Gennesaret -- Gennesaret, a fertile plain on W. shore of the...
... Gennesaret, a fertile plain on W. shore of theSea ofGalilee. Part of Speech: Proper
Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration: Gennesaret Phonetic Spelling: (ghen-nay...
3094. Magdalene -- Magdalene, of Magdala, a place on the coast of...
... Magdalene, of Magdala, a place on the coast of theSea ofGalilee near Tiberias.
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Magdalene Phonetic Spelling...
1056. Galilaia --Galilee, the northern region of Palestine, also...
...Galilee, the northern region of Palestine, also the name of asea. Part of Speech:
Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Galilaia Phonetic Spelling: (gal-il-ah'-yah...
2281. thalassa -- thesea
... Short Definition: thesea, lake Definition: (a) thesea, in contrast to the land,
(b) a particularsea or lake, eg thesea ofGalilee (Tiberias), the RedSea....
3484. Nain -- Nain, a village ofGalilee
... Proper Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration: Nain Phonetic Spelling: (nah-in') Short
Definition: Nain Definition: Nain, a city south-west of theSea ofGalilee....
1046. Gadarenos -- of Gadara, Gadarene
... belonging to Gadara Definition: Gadarene, belonging to Gadara (an important Hellenized
town, one of the Decapolis, and south-east of theSea ofGalilee)....
Strong's Hebrew
6160. arabah -- a steppe or desert plain, also a desert valley...... 6159, 6160. arabah. 6161 . a steppe or desert plain, also a desert valley
running S. from the
Sea of
Galilee. Transliteration: arabah
...8396. Tabor -- a mountain Southwest of theSea ofGalilee, also...
... a mountain Southwest of theSea ofGalilee, also several other places in Isr.
Transliteration: Tabor Phonetic Spelling: (taw-bore') Short Definition: Tabor....
Library
By theSea ofGalilee - the Final Call of the First Disciples, and...
... CHAPTER XIII. BY THESEA OFGALILEE - THE FINAL CALL OF THE FIRST DISCIPLES, AND
THE MIRACULOUS DRAUGHT OF FISHES. (Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11.)...
Appearance atSea ofGalilee.
... XXIV. APPEARANCE ATSEA OFGALILEE. "After these things Jesus manifested
Himself again to the disciples at theSea of Tiberias; and...
Jesus Heals Multitudes Beside theSea ofGalilee.
... Part Fifth. From Second Passover Until Third.(Time: One Year.) XL. Jesus Heals
Multitudes Beside theSea ofGalilee. ^A Matthew 12:15-21; ^B Mark 3:7-12....
The Lake of Gennesaret; Or, theSea ofGalilee and Tiberias.
... A Chorographical Century. Chapters 61-70 Chapter 70 The lake of Gennesaret;
or, thesea ofGalilee and Tiberias. Jordan is measured...
And Jesus Departed Thence, and came to the Side of theSea of...
... The Text of the Diatessaron. Section XXIII. And Jesus departed thence,
and came to the side of thesea ofGalilee? [1] [1606] And...
InGalilee.
... ntc3306. Map ofSea ofGalilee (John 21:1). 1. After these things Jesus showed
himself again to his disciples at thesea of Tiberias....
The Call by theSea
... Day was breaking over theSea ofGalilee. The disciples, weary with a night of
fruitless toil, were still in their fishing boats on the lake....
Jesus Calls Four Fishermen to Follow Him.
... (Time: One Year.) XXX. Jesus Calls Four Fishermen to Follow Him. (Sea ofGalilee,
Near Capernaum.) ^A Matthew 4:18-22; ^B Mark 1:16-20; ^C Luke 5:1-11....
The Early Preaching and the First Disciples
... And passing along by thesea ofGalilee, He saw Simon and Andrew the brother
of Simon casting a net in thesea; for they were fishers....
The Five Thousand Fed.
... Jesus went over theSea ofGalilee....Sea of Tiberias. Another name of theSea ofGalilee
at that time better known to Gentile readers. (John 6:2)....
Resources
What is the importance of the parting of the Red Sea? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the sea of forgetfulness? | GotQuestions.orgWere fish and sea creatures also destroyed during the Flood (Genesis 6-8)? | GotQuestions.orgSea: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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