Overview
Phoenicia (also spelled Phenicia) was a prosperous coastal region in ancient Canaan, home to the Sidonians and Tyrians. The Phoenicians were renowned seafarers and merchants who traded throughout the Mediterranean world. Israel maintained complex relationships with Phoenicia—sometimes trading partners, sometimes spiritual influences that led God's people astray into idolatry.
Key Scriptures
"Then five men of the tribe of the Danites, from their whole number, from Zorah and from Eshtaol, went to spy out the land and to explore it; and they said to him, 'Please inquire of God that we may know whether the mission on which we are going will succeed.' And Micah said to them, 'Go in peace; your mission has the approval of the Lord'" (Judges 18:5-6, NASB).
"A certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures" (Acts 18:24, NASB).
"When we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly" (Acts 21:17, NASB).
Application
Study how God's people engaged with surrounding cultures, maintaining faith while navigating commercial and political relationships in a pagan world.