Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898)
GENNES'ARET, THE LAND OF. A small crescent-shaped strip of country on the north-west side of the Sea of Galilee was called "The land of Gennesaret" (though often inaccurately written "Gennesareth"). It is named only twice in Scripture. Matt 14:34; Mark 6:53; comp. Luke 5:1. It is generally supposed to apply to the plain called by the Arabs el-Ghunweir, or "little Ghor." It lies along the lake for 3 or 4 miles, and extends back about a mile or
more, where it is shut in by the hills. The southern part, reaching nearly to Mejdel, is still watered by several streams; the northern portion, reaching to Khan Minyeh, now without water, is supposed to have been irrigated by an aqueduct from the fountain of Capernaum, probably 'Ain Tabighah. The plain was formerly very rich and fruitful, according to Josephus, and is supposed to be the scene of the parable of the Sower, Matt 13:1-8, but it is
now fruitful in thorns. The banks of the lake and of the brook running from the fountain 'Ain Tabighah are fringed with oleanders. Fish still abound in the stream, as in the adjacent lake. The fountain el-Mudawarah, or "round spring," about 30 yards in diameter and 2 feet deep, and from which the water bursts forth in a considerable volume, has by Tristram been regarded as the spring of Capharnaum, noticed by Josephus; but this is disputed by the
best authorities, and Tristram himself has given it up. For Map, see Galilee, Sea of. This land of Gennesaret has been held to contain three important cities, Capernaum, Bethsaida, and Chorazin, but none of these were in the "plain" of Gennesaret, unless Capernaum was located at Khan Miuyeh. See Capernaum. Bethsaida (Et Tabighah) and Chorazin (Kerazeh) were farther north. Mejdel, the ancient Magdala, seems to have been the only town in the plain,
which, like the other plains (Esdraelon, Sharon, etc.), was unoccupied, people preferring for comfort and safety to live on the mountains and hills.