Sea of Galilee




Sea of Galilee
Taken at sunset from my hotel balcony.
What you can very barely make out across the sea are the Golan Heights.



Sea of Galilee
From Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary


SEA OF GALILEE - a freshwater lake, fed by the Jordan River, which was closely connected with the early ministry of Jesus. This "sea" is called four different names in the Bible: the "Sea of Chinnereth" [or "Chinneroth"] (the Hebrew word for "harp-shaped," the general outline of the lake; Num. 34:11; Josh. 12:3; 13:27); the "Lake of Gennesaret" (Luke 5:1), taking the name from the fertile Plain of Gennesaret that lies on the northwest (Matt. 14:34); the "Sea of Tiberias" (John 6:1; 21:1), because of its association with the capital of Herod Antipas; and the "Sea of Galilee" (Matt. 4:18; Mark 1:16).

Situated some 60 miles north of Jerusalem, the Sea of Galilee contains fresh water since it is fed by the Jordan. The lake itself is the deepest part of the northern Jordan Rift and thus the water collects there before it flows on its way. The surface of Galilee is about 700 feet below the Mediterranean Sea. The floor of the lake is another 80 to 160 feet lower. The lake itself is nearly 13 miles long and 8 miles wide at Magdala, the point of its greatest width.

The lake is surrounded, except on the southern side, by steep cliffs and sharply rising mountains. On the east these mountains rise to the fertile Golan Heights as high as 2,700 feet. As a result of this formation, cool winds frequently rush down these slopes and unexpectedly stir up violent storms on the warm surface of the lake. Waves such as these were easily calmed at the command of Jesus (Mark 4: 35-41).

A fishing industry thrived on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus called His first disciples - Peter, Andrew, James, and John - from that industry (Mark 1:16-20). In spite of the steep hillsides around the lake, nine cities of 15,000 population or more thrived in the first century as part of an almost continuous belt of settlements around the lake. Of these cities, Bethsaida, Tiberias, and Capernaum were the most important. On and around the Sea of Galilee Jesus performed most of His 33 recorded miracles and issued most of His teachings to His disciples and the multitudes that followed Him.





And the coast shall go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain; and the border shall descend, and shall reach unto the side of the sea of Chinnereth eastward;
Numbers 34:11


And from the plain to the sea of Chinneroth on the east, and unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea in the east, the way south, under Ashdothpisgah:
Joshua 12:3


And in the valley, Betharam, and Bethnimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, Jordan and his border, even unto the edge of the sea of Chinnereth on the other side Jordan eastward.
Joshua 13:27


And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
Luke 5:1


And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.
Matthew 14:34


After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.
John 6:1


After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.
John 21:1


And Jesus walked by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting nets into the sea: for they were fishers.
Matthew 4:18


Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
Mark 1:16


And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships
And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so it was now full.
And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
And he arose and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that the wind and the sea obey him?
Mark 4:35-41


Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
And Jesus said to them, Come ye after me, and I will make you become fishers of men.
And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.
And when they had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.
And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.
Mark 1:16-20













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