Lexical Summary Galilaia: Galilee Original Word: Γαλιλαία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Galilee. Of Hebrew origin (Galiyl); Galiloea (i.e. The heathen circle), a region of Palestine -- Galilee. see HEBREW Galiyl NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Hebrew origin galil Definition Galilee, the northern region of Pal., also the name of a sea (same as NG5085) NASB Translation Galilee (61). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1056: ΓαλιλαίαΓαλιλαία, Γαλιλαίας, ἡ, Galilee, (from הַגָּלִילָה, 2 Kings 15:29; הַגָּלִיל, Joshua 20:7; Joshua 21:32; גָּלִיל אֶרֶץ, 1 Kings 9:11, i. e. the circle or circuit, by which name even before the exile a certain district of northern Palestine was designated; the Sept. Γαλιλαία); the name of a region of northern Palestine, bounded on the north by Syria, on the west by Sidon, Tyre, Ptolemais and their territories and the promontory of Carmel, on the south by Samaria and on the east by the Jordan. It was divided into Upper Galilee (extending from the borders of Tyre and Sidon to the sources of the Jordan), and Lower Galilee (which, lower and more level, embraced the lands of the tribes of Issachar and Zebulun and the part of Naphtali bordering on the Sea of Galilee): ἡ ἄνω καί ἡ κάτω Γαλιλαία (Josephus, b. j. 3, 3, 1, where its boundaries are given). It was a very fertile region, populous, having 204 towns and villages (Josephus, Vita45), and inasmuch as it had, especially in the upper part, many Gentiles among its inhabitants (Judges 1:30-33; Strabo 16, 34, p. 760), it was called, Matthew 4:15, Γαλιλαία τῶν ἐθνῶν (Isaiah 8:23 ( Topical Lexicon Geographic ContextLying north of Samaria and west of the Jordan, Galilee was bordered by Lebanon on the north, the Mediterranean on the west, and the Sea of Galilee on the east. Fertile valleys, abundant springs, and bustling trade routes knit together a mosaic of rural villages and prosperous market towns (Capernaum, Bethsaida, Chorazin, Cana, Nain, Magdala, Tiberias). Upper Galilee rose in rugged hills; Lower Galilee spread in gentle basins ideal for grain and vineyards. Its mixed population—Jewish majority with notable Gentile enclaves—made the region culturally diverse yet firmly within Israel’s covenant land. Old Testament Foundations After the Assyrian deportations (2 Kings 15:29), foreign settlers diluted Galilee’s ethnic purity, prompting Isaiah’s oracle: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles” (Isaiah 9:1). That prophecy anticipates the Messiah’s light rising in a territory once shrouded in gloom, a text Matthew explicitly cites (Matthew 4:13–16). Galilee in the Life of Jesus Beginning of Public Ministry “After John had been imprisoned, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God” (Mark 1:14). Nazareth, His boyhood home (Matthew 2:22–23; Luke 4:16), gave way to Capernaum as His base (Matthew 4:13). From synagogues (Mark 1:39) to open fields (Mark 6:34) He taught, “healing every disease and sickness among the people” (Matthew 4:23). Miracles and Signs Water became wine at Cana (John 2:1–11); a royal official’s son revived at Capernaum (John 4:46–54); five thousand were fed near Bethsaida (Luke 9:10–17); storms were calmed and demons expelled on the shores (Mark 4:35–41; Luke 8:26–39). These works authenticated His identity and fulfilled Isaiah’s forecast of restorative glory in Galilee. Formation of the Twelve Peter, Andrew, James, John, and Matthew were called from Galilean occupations (Matthew 4:18–22; 9:9). The region’s common folk supplied the nucleus of the apostolic band, evidencing God’s preference for humble vessels (Acts 4:13). Teaching Discourse The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) and many parables were delivered overlooking the Sea of Galilee, illustrating kingdom realities with agrarian imagery familiar to local listeners. From Galilee to Jerusalem and Back Prophecy of Flight and Return “But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee” (Mark 14:28). The angel echoed this pledge at the empty tomb (Matthew 28:7). The risen Lord indeed met His disciples on a Galilean mountain, commissioning them to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:16–20). Thus the gospel that began in Galilee was seeded for worldwide mission. Galilee in Acts and the Early Church Pentecost Witness Crowds in Jerusalem recognized the Spirit-filled disciples as “Galileans” (Acts 2:7), a reminder that God chose a seemingly insignificant province to birth global proclamation. Regional Peace and Growth “Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria enjoyed peace and was built up” (Acts 9:31). Peter’s itinerant ministry likely revisited Galilean assemblies before the gospel advanced to Syrian Antioch. Post-Resurrection Appearances More than five hundred brethren saw the risen Christ—many scholars locate this mass appearance in Galilee (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:6 with Matthew 28:16–17; Acts 13:31). Theological Significance Light to the Nations Galilee’s Gentile associations foreshadow the inclusive scope of salvation. Jesus’ ministry there heralded the in-breaking kingdom destined for every ethnicity. Reversal of Expectations Jerusalem’s religious elite viewed Galilee with skepticism (“Search and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee,” John 7:52). Yet God’s redemptive plan flowered in that very soil, underscoring divine sovereignty and grace. Discipleship Paradigm Galilee embodies the rhythm of following Christ: called in ordinary settings, trained through Word and deed, commissioned to the ends of the earth. Key New Testament References Isaiah prophecy fulfilled: Matthew 4:13–16 Call of first disciples: Matthew 4:18–22; Mark 1:16–20 Teaching and healing circuit: Matthew 4:23; Luke 4:14–15 Miracles: John 2:1–11; Mark 4:35–41; Luke 8:26–39 Great Commission site: Matthew 28:16–20 Pentecost identity: Acts 2:7 Early Church expansion: Acts 9:31; Acts 10:37; Acts 13:31 Archaeological and Historical Witness Excavations at Capernaum uncover a first-century house-church, traditionally Peter’s home. Synagogue ruins at Chorazin and Magdala illustrate the milieu of Jesus’ teaching ministry. Boat fragments retrieved from the Sea of Galilee confirm active fishing economies matching Gospel narratives. Practical Applications 1. God often initiates mighty works in overlooked places; faithfulness in obscurity invites divine favor. Galilee—once despised, forever honored—stands as a testament that the Messiah’s light dawns where darkness once reigned and that ordinary followers can carry extraordinary truth to the nations. Forms and Transliterations Γαλιλαια Γαλιλαία Γαλιλαίᾳ Γαλιλαιαν Γαλιλαίαν Γαλιλαιας Γαλιλαίας Galilaia Galilaía Galilaíāi Galilaian Galilaían Galilaias GalilaíasLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 2:22 N-GFSGRK: μέρη τῆς Γαλιλαίας NAS: he left for the regions of Galilee, KJV: into the parts of Galilee: INT: district of Galilee Matthew 3:13 N-GFS Matthew 4:12 N-AFS Matthew 4:15 N-VFS Matthew 4:18 N-GFS Matthew 4:23 N-DFS Matthew 4:25 N-GFS Matthew 15:29 N-GFS Matthew 17:22 N-DFS Matthew 19:1 N-GFS Matthew 21:11 N-GFS Matthew 26:32 N-AFS Matthew 27:55 N-GFS Matthew 28:7 N-AFS Matthew 28:10 N-AFS Matthew 28:16 N-AFS Mark 1:9 N-GFS Mark 1:14 N-AFS Mark 1:16 N-GFS Mark 1:28 N-GFS Mark 1:39 N-AFS Mark 3:7 N-GFS Mark 6:21 N-GFS Mark 7:31 N-GFS Mark 9:30 N-GFS Strong's Greek 1056 |
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