So named because of its location in eastern Galilee, it is also called Lake of Gennesaret (Luk 5:1), since the fertile plateau of Gennesaret is to the northwest (Matt 14:34). The OT calls it the sea of Cineret (Heb., harp-shaped, Num 34:11; Deu 3:17; Jos 13:27), after the town of the same name on its shore (Jos 19:35). Gennesaret is likely to be a corruption of it. Sea of Tiberias is another designation (Joh 6:1; Joh 21:1), associated with Tiberias, the capital of Herod Antipas.
Located about 100 km. north of Jerusalem, its bed is but a depression in the Jordan valley. As the Jordan River descends south on its course from Mount Hermon to the Dead Sea, it enters the Sea of Galilee at the northern tip and exits at the southern tip, a distance of 22 km. The maximum width of the sea is 13 km. in Magdalena. The Sea of Galilee is known for its sudden and violent storms (Mar 4:39; compare Mat 14:22-34; Mar 6:45-53; Joh 6:15-21).
Source: Hispanic World Bible Dictionary
†¢Sea of Galilee.
Source: Christian Bible Dictionary
Inland freshwater lake that is located in the northern part of Palestine and has also been called the Sea of Kinneret (Nu 34:11), Lake of Gennesaret (Lu 5:1) and Sea of Tiberias (Jn 6:1 ). (The Greek word translated “sea” can also mean “lake.”) (See MAP, vol. 2, p. 740; PRINTS, vol. 1, p. 336, and vol. 2, p. 740.)
Size and topography of the area. The Sea of Galilee is located, on average, about 210 m. below the level of the Mediterranean Sea, and is part of the great cleft. This sea reaches a maximum depth of 48 m. and has an approximate length of 21 km from N. to S., with a maximum width of about 12 km. Depending on the season, the color of the crystalline waters of the Sea of Galilee varies from green to blue, and the average temperature of the water ranges between 14 °C. in February and 30 °C. in August. This lake is mainly supplied by the Jordan River.
The bed of the Sea of Galilee looks like a huge basin. From its banks on the eastern side rise steep lava-covered limestone mountains reaching an altitude of about 610 m. To the west, however, the mountains do not rise so steeply. The Sea of Galilee is practically surrounded by hills and mountains, except for the plains of the Jordan, that is, the points where the river enters the lake (N. end) and where it resumes its course (SW end). The northern part is occupied by large blocks of basalt. South of the city of Tiberias, on the west coast, are sulphurous hot springs, which have long been famous for their medicinal properties. One of these springs reaches a temperature of 58 °C.
Climate. The warm climate around the Sea of Galilee is conducive to the growth of tropical plants, such as jujubes, palm trees, and indigo. Along its shores are tortoises, sea turtles, crayfish and sea fleas. Birds and fish abound. In the 19th century, the naturalist HB Tristram commented: “The density of the schools of fish in the Sea of Galilee is such that it is difficult for anyone who has not witnessed it to imagine. These schools often cover half a hectare or more in area, and as the fish move slowly in a group, they go so close together, with their dorsal fins showing on the surface of the water, that from a distance they look like the track left by a downpour. on the surface† . (The Natural History of the Bible, 1889, p. 285.)
Sudden storms, such as those experienced by Jesus Christ and his disciples, are not uncommon. (Mt 8:24; 14:24) Due to the low level of the Sea of Galilee, the air temperature is much warmer there than on the surrounding plateaus and mountains, resulting in atmospheric disturbances. Also, through the Jordan Valley come strong winds from Mount Hermon, which is to the N. not far from there and whose top is capped with snow.
In the first century the shores of this lake were fairly populated, but today Tiberias is the only remaining city of the nine that Josephus mentions on the Sea of Galilee.
The ministry of Jesus in this region. This lake figures frequently in the earthly ministry of Jesus. The Son of God spoke several times from a boat to great crowds gathered on its wide, pebbly shore. (Mr 3: 9; 4: 1; Lu 5: 1-3) On one of these occasions he caused some of his disciples to have a miraculous catch of fish, and he called Peter, Andrew, James, and John to be † œfishers of men †. (Mt 4:18-22; Lu 5:4-11) Jesus performed many mighty works in the vicinity of the Sea of Galilee: he healed the sick, cast out demons (Mr 3:7-12), calmed the wind and the sea (Mr 4:35-41) and also walked on water (Jn 6:16-21); once he miraculously fed various loaves and a few fish to more than 5,000 people and on another occasion, to more than 4,000. (Mt 14:14-21; 15:29, 34-38) Jesus rightly condemned three cities in that area—Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum—for remaining unresponsive despite the many mighty deeds witnessed by their inhabitants. (Mt 11:20-24.)
After his resurrection from the dead, Jesus appeared to some of his disciples by the Sea of Galilee and caused them to have a second miraculous catch of fish. He subsequently stressed the importance of feeding his sheep. (Joh 21:1, 4-19.)
Source: Dictionary of the Bible
Lake in the region of Galilee, also called, in the OT, “sea of *Cineret” (Num. 34.11) or “Cinerot” (Jos. 12.3, °vrv3), and in the NT “Lake of Genesaret” (Lk. 5.1) and “Sea of Tiberias” (Jn. 21.1). The Hebrew name current is Yam Kinneret.
This lake is about 21 km long and up to 11 km wide, and is 211 m below sea level. The Jordan River runs through it from N to S; therefore its waters are sweet—unlike those of the Dead Sea—and its fishing activity (* Fish), so prominent in the New Testament account, and so well known throughout the Roman Empire, spawned a flourishing export trade. On the other hand, the position of the lake, surrounded by mountains and deep in the cleft valley of the Jordan, exposes it to atmospheric changes and unexpected storms.
It is bordered by a plain of variable width; In general, the slopes on the eastern shore are steep (Mr. 5.13), and somewhat smoother on the western. To the N and S, where the Jordan River enters and leaves, are the riverine plains of the lake.
On the shores of the lake were the sites of cities—Capernaum, Bethsaida, etc.—in which much of Christ’s ministry was carried out. In his day they formed a flourishing and almost continuous chain of settlements around the lake, trading and communicating with each other by means of it. Today, only *Tiberias still exists as a city—even the location of several other early cities is uncertain—and other trade patterns have downplayed the lake as a focus of life in the region.
Bibliography. °GA Smith, GHTS, 1960; A. González Lamadrid, The force of the earth, 1981, pp. 295.
GA Smith, The Historical Geography of the Holy Land25, 1931, pp. 437–463.
JHP
Douglas, J. (2000). New Biblical Dictionary: First Edition. Miami: United Bible Societies.
Source: New Bible Dictionary