Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
Circuit. Solomon rewarded Hiram for certain services rendered him by the gift of an upland plain among the mountains of Naphtali. Hiram was dissatisfied with the gift, and called it “the land of Cabul” (q.v.). The Jews called it Galil. It continued long to be occupied by the original inhabitants, and hence came to be called “Galilee of the Gentiles” (Matt. 4:15), and also “Upper Galilee,” to distinguish it from the extensive addition
afterwards made to it toward the south, which was usually called “Lower Galilee.” In the time of our Lord, Galilee embraced more than one-third of Western Palestine, extending “from Dan on the north, at the base of Mount Hermon, to the ridges of Carmel and Gilboa on the south, and from the Jordan valley on the east away across the splendid plains of Jezreel and Acre to the shores of the Mediterranean on the west.” Palestine was divided
into three provinces, Judea, Samaria, and Galilee, which comprehended the whole northern section of the country (Acts 9:31), and was the largest of the three. It was the scene of some of the most memorable events of Jewish history. Galilee also was the home of our Lord during at least thirty years of his life. The first three Gospels are chiefly taken up with our Lord’s public ministry in this province. “The entire province is encircled with
a halo of holy associations connected with the life, works, and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.” “It is noteworthy that of his thirty-two beautiful parables, no less than ninteen were spoken in Galilee. And it is no less remarkable that of his entire thirty-three great miracles, twenty-five were wrought in this province. His first miracle was wrought at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, and his last, after his resurrection, on the shore of
Galilee’s sea. In Galilee our Lord delivered the Sermon on The Mount, and the discourses on ‘The Bread of Life,’ on ‘Purity,’ on ’Forgiveness,’ and on ‘Humility.’ In Galilee he called his first disciples; and there occurred the sublime scene of the Transfiguration” (Porter’s Through Samaria). When the Sanhedrin were about to proceed with some plan for the condemnation of our Lord (John 7:45-52), Nicodemus interposed in his
behalf. (Comp. Deut. 1:16, 17; 17:8.) They replied, “Art thou also of Galilee?.... Out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.” This saying of theirs was “not historically true, for two prophets at least had arisen from Galilee, Jonah of Gath-hepher, and the greatest of all the prophets, Elijah of Thisbe, and perhaps also Nahum and Hosea. Their contempt for Galilee made them lose sight of historical accuracy” (Alford, Com.). The Galilean accent
differed from that of Jerusalem in being broader and more guttural (Mark 14:70).
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
(circuit). This name, which in the Roman age was applied to a large province, seems to have been originally confined to a little “circuit” of country round Kedesh-Naphtali, in which were situated the twenty towns given by Solomon to Hiram king of Tyre as payment for his work in conveying timber from Lebanon to Jerusalem. (Joshua 20:7; 1 Kings 9:11) In the time of our Lord all Palestine was divided into three provinces, Judea, Samaria and
Galilee. (Luke 17:11; Acts 9:31) Joseph. B.J. iii. 3. The latter included the whole northern section of the country, including the ancient territories of Issachar, Zebulun, Asher and Naphtali. On the west it was bounded by the territory of Ptolemais, which probably included the whole plain of Akka to the foot of Carmel. The southern border ran along the base of Carmel and of the hills of Samaria to Mount Gilboa, and then descended the valley of
Jezreel by Scythopolis to the Jordan. The river Jordan, the Sea of Galilee, and the upper Jordan to the fountain at Dan, formed the eastern border; and the northern ran from Dan westward across the mountain ridge till it touched the territory of the Phoenicians. Galilee was divided into two sections, “Lower” and “Upper.” Lower Galilee included the great plain of Esdraelon with its offshoots, which ran down to the Jordan and the Lake of
Tiberias, and the whole of the hill country adjoining it on the north to the foot of the mountain range. It was thus one of the richest and most beautiful sections of Pales-tine. Upper Galilee embraced the whole mountain range lying between the upper Jordan and Phoenicia. To this region the name “Galilee of the Gentiles” is given in the Old and New Testaments. (Isaiah 9:1; Matthew 4:16) Galilee was the scene of the greater part of our
Lord’s private life and public acts. It is a remarkable fact that the first three Gospels are chiefly taken up with our Lord’s ministrations in this province, while the Gospel of John dwells more upon those in Judea. (Galilee in the time of Christ .—From Rev. Selah Merrill’s late book (1881) with this title, we glean the following facts: Size .—It is estimated that of the 1000 square miles in Palestine west of the Jordan, nearly
one-third, almost 2000 square miles, belongs to Galilee. Population—The population is between 2,000,000 and 3,000,000. Dr. Merrill argues for the general correctness of Josephus’ estimates, who says there were 204 cities and villages in Galilee, the smallest of which numbered 15,000 inhabitants. Character of the country . Galilee was a region of great natural fertility. Such is the fertility of the soil that it rejects no plant, for the air
is so genial that it suits every variety. The walnut, which delights above other trees in a wintry climate, grows here luxuriantly together with the palm tree, which is flourished by heat. It not only possesses the extraordinary virtue of nourishing fruits of opposite climes, but also maintains a continual supply of them. Here were found all the productions which made Italy rich and beautiful. Forests covered its mountains and hills, while its
uplands, gentle slopes and broader valleys were rich in pasture, meadows, cultivated fields, vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees of every kind. Character of the Galileans .—They were thoroughly a Jewish people. With few exceptions they were wealthy and in general an influential class. If one should say the Jews were bigoted in religion, he should remember at the same time that in regard to social, commercial and political relations none
were more cosmopolitan in either sentiment or practice than they. The Galileans had many manufactures, fisheries, some commerce, but were chiefly an agricultural people. They were eminent for patriotism and courage, as were their ancestors, with great respect for law and order.—ED.)
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898)
GAL'ILEE (circle, circuit), a name in the O.T. for a small district in the northern mountains of Naphtali, around Kedesh-naphtali, and including 20 towns given by Solomon to Hiram, king of Tyre, Josh 20:7 ,Josh 21:32; 1 Kgs 9:11; 2 Kgs 15:29, and called "Galilee of the nations" in Isa 9:1. Devastated during the wars of the Captivity, it was repeopled by strangers. In the time of the Maccabees they probably outnumbered the Jewish population, and
gave their new name to a much wider district. In the time of our Lord, Palestine was divided into three provinces, of which Galilee was the most northern. It included the whole region from the Plain of Jezreel to the Litany (Leontes) River, being about 50 miles long by 20 to 25 miles wide. The northern part was known as Upper and the southern part as Lower Galilee. These included the territories given to Asher, Naphtali, Zebulun, and Issachar.
The country was famed for its fertility, rich pastures, and fine forests. The portion west of the lake was the most beautiful. In the Roman period the population was dense, Josephus estimating it at 2,000,000 or 3,000,000, though that is probably an exaggeration. It had a mixed population of heathens, foreigners, and Jews. The latter, having a strong, if not dominant, influence, were less strict and less acquainted with the Law than their
southern Judaean neighbors, by whom they were little esteemed. The noted mountains of Galilee were Carmel, Gilboa, and Tabor; the towns were Nazareth, Cana, Tiberias, Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. Jesus spent the greater portion of his life and ministry in Galilee. Many of his most remarkable miracles, teachings, and labors were within this province of Galilee. His disciples were chiefly from this region. Acts 1:11. After the fall of
Jerusalem, Galilee became the residence of celebrated rabbis and the centre of Jewish schools of learning.
Hitchcock's Bible Names (1869)
wheel; revolution
Schaff's Bible Dictionary
GALILEE, SEA OF, a small lake of deep interest to the Bible-reader as the scene of some of the most remarkable works of Jesus. The lake is named from the district or province of Galilee. It was known by several other names, as the sea of Chinnereth, Num 34:11; Deut 3:17, or Chinneroth. Josh 11:2; 1 Chr 12:3, or Cinneroth, 1 Kgs 15:20, probably from a town of that name which stood on its shore. Josh 19:35; the lake of Gennesaret, Luke 5:1, from
the plain or land of that name on its north-western side. Matt 14:34; Mark 6:53; the sea of Tiberias, from the celebrated city of that name, John 6:1; and the sea, Matt 4:15. It is also called Gennesar in the Apocryjphal book of Maccabees, 1 Mace. 11:67. Its present name is Bahr Tabariyeh. It is worthy of note that all the towns whose names were applied to this lake were situated upon its western side. "Gennezareth," which is a form of the name
also given to the sea by many authors, is not found in the A.V. of our English Bible. Situation and Extent. — This sea is 60 miles north-east from Jerusalem, and 27 east of the Mediterranean Sea. Its form is an irregular oval or pear-shape, the broad end being toward the north. Its length is 12 1/2 miles according to Wilson, 16 1/2 according to Baedeker, and its breadth from 4 to 7 1/2 miles. Its level varies at different seasons, and is from
600 to 700 feet below the Mediterranean, the mean depression being about 626 feet, and its depth 160 feet. Physical Features. — The lake is surrounded by an almost continuous wall of hills, broken or receding occasionally, as at Tiberias, the plain of Gennesaret, and at the Jordan. The hills are of limestone, basalt, and volcanic rocks, indications of volcanic action being also specially abundant in the Jordanic chasm, though Wilson sees
nothing to indicate a volcanic origin of the lake. Hot springs abound; earthquakes are frequent. The Jordan runs through the lake, coloring its water for a mile. The water of the lake is slightly salty, but drunk by the people. Fish abound, many species having been found. Tristram says: "The shoals were marvellous black masses of many hundred yards long, with the black fins projecting out of the water as thickly as they could pack. No wonder that
any net should break which enclosed such a shoal! Yet though the lake swarms with fish as I could not have believed water could swarm, there are but two boats existing on its whole extent besides a ferry-boat." (Land of Israel, p. 430.) Baedeker notes three miserable fishing-boats. These are all that are left to remind the traveller of the numerous boats which our Saviour saw on the Sea of Galilee. Josephus describes a naval engagement which took
place on its waters between the Jews and the soldiers of Vespasian. Violent and Sketch-Map of the Sea of Galilee. (Palestine Exploration Fund.) sudden storms are common now on the lake, as in our Lord's day. Scripture History. — This lake is mentioned in the O.T. but seldom, and then rather incidentally, as in Num 34:11; Deut 3:17; Josh 11:2; 1 Chr 12:3; 1 Kgs 15:20. Its chief interest is its association with the public ministry of our Saviour.
Upon its shores was "his own city," Matt 9:1; from fishing-boats on Galilee he called Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, and his partners James and John, who were thenceforth "to catch men," Matt 4:18,Matt 4:22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11; on it he stilled the tempest and made the winds and the sea obev him. Matt 8:23-27; Matt 14:22-33; see also Matt 17:27; Mark 7:31-35; at the Sea of Tiberias Christ also showed himself to the disciples after his
resurrection. John 21. Of the nine or more populous cities which stood upon its shores, the more important were Bethsaida, Capernaum, Chorazin, Tiberias, and Magdala. Present Appearance. — Porter gives an eloquent description of the lake as it appeared to him from his tent-door, on a lovely spot, at evening: " The silence was profound. Even Nature seemed to have fallen asleep. The river glided noiselessly past; the sea was spread before me like
a polished mirror. . . . East of the lake the side of Bashan's lofty plateau rose as a mountain-chain, and at its northern end my eye rested on the very scene of that miracle of mercy where thousands were fed, and at its southern end on that of the miracle of judgment, where 'the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place, and perished in the waters.' Away to the west the shattered ramparts of Tiberias seemed to rise out of the bosom of
the lake, and behind them a dark mountain, in whose caverned cliffs repose the ashes of many a learned rabbin, while over all appeared the graceful rounded top of Tabor. Farther to the right, on the white strand, I saw the huts of Magdala, with the coast of Gennesaret extending from it northward to Capernaum — Christ's own city." At the present time the lake is almost utterly forsaken: only three or four fisher-boats can be found there; while
at the time of Christ it was covered with sailing-vessels, and the surrounding western shore (the plain of Gennesaret) was, according to the glowing description of Josephus, a paradise of beauty and fertility. F.R. and C.R. Conder describe the famous sea as pear-shaped, and resembling in size the English lake Windermere. They add: "It is surrounded with precipices of limestone, except on the north, where a shelving slope leads to the shore from a
plateau of basalt extending from the foot of the highest range of Upper Galilee. The scenery of the lake is bare, and much tamer The Sea of Galilee from Tiberias. (After original Photograph.) than that of the Dead Sea. The beach is narrow except on the north-west, where the cliffs recede, leaving a fertile plain (Gennesaret), 2 1/2 miles long and 1 mile broad, watered by several fine springs. The pebbly open shore on the north is broken into
numerous bays, and is fringed with dark oleander bushes. On the south-eastern side is a palm-grove, and a few palms dot the western shore. The ruddy cliffs on the west and the steep slopes on the east are bare and desolate, but the sweet waters of the lake, in calm weather mirroring the surrounding hills and shining in the sun, present a beautiful scene, especially at evening. The sea is remarkable for its shoals of fish, for the violence of its
sudden thunder-storms, and for the hot springs along its shores. The neighborhood of the lake is also peculiarly subject to volcanic disturbances." —Handbook of the Bible, p. 215 (1879). The Rev. Dr. S. Manning encountered a sudden and violent storm on this lake, illustrating many of the details of N.T. history: "I had taken a boat, on a bright, cloudless morning, to explore the eastern shores and the point where the Jordan enters the lake.
There was not a ripple on the water, not a perceptible current in the air. Almost without warning, the wind rose: the waves, crested with foam, began to break over the sides of the boat. I was sitting on a cushion, or 'pillow,' on the flat, raised stern, 'in the hinder part of the ship,' and watched the crew 'toiling and rowing.' But all their efforts were in vain. They were unable to make any way, for 'the wind was contrary.' At length one of
them jumped overboard, and, partly swimming, partly wading, towed the vessel ashore." —Holy Fields, p. 205. Capt. Wilson experienced a similar sudden storm.