Lexical Summary Kinaroth or Kinnereth: Kinaroth, Kinnereth Original Word: כִּנְּרוֹת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Chinnereth, Chinneroth, Cinneroth Or Kinnereth {kin-neh'-reth}; respectively plural and singular feminine from the same as kinnowr; perhaps harp-shaped; Kinneroth or Kinnereth, a place in Palestine -- Chinnereth, Chinneroth, Cinneroth. see HEBREW kinnowr NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as kinnor Definition a city in Galilee, also a lake near the city NASB Translation Chinnereth (4), Chinneroth (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs כִּנֶּ֫רֶתֵ, ִכּנְַֿרוֺת proper name, of a location in Galilee (Naphtali), כִּנֶּרֶת Deuteronomy 3:17; Joshua 13:27; Numbers 34:11; כִּנָּ֑רֶת Joshua 19:35; ִכּנְַֿרוֺת (so Baer; ִכּנְרוֺת Norzi) Joshua 11:2; Joshua 12:3; 1 Kings 15:20; — 1 a city Joshua 19:35 (P; ᵐ5 B Κενερεθ, A Ξενερεθ, ᵐ5L Ξενερεθ, as always except Joshua 13:27), so probably Joshua 11:2 (D ?; B Κενερωθ, A Ξενερεθθι), Deuteronomy 3:17 (B Μαχαναρεθ; — Μαχ- = ׳מִכּ). 2 יָםכִּֿנֶּרֶת, lake near the city, Numbers 34:11 (P; ᵐ5 B Ξεναρα, A Ξενερεθ), Joshua 13:27 (P; ᵐ5 B Ξενερεθ; A ᵐ5L Ξενερωθ), יָם ִכּנְַֿרוֺת Joshua 12:3 (D; ᵐ5 B Ξενερεθ; A Ξεννερεθ); כָּלִֿכּנְַֿרוֺת 1 Kings 15:20 #NAME?πᾶσαν τὴνγῆν Ξενερεθ ᵐ5L, — ᵑ7 has גִּינֵסַר, גְּנֵיסַר, גִּנֹּסַר, compare τὸ ὕδωρ τοῦ Γεννησαρ1Makk. 1 Kings 11:67; Γεννησαρετ Mark 6:53; Matthew 14:34; Luke 5:1; etymological connection with כִּנֶּרֶת disputed by GASmGeogr. 443 n. BuhlGeogr. 113 n. — On the lake and surrounding region see GASmGeogr. Ch. xxi. BdPal 254 BuhlGeogr. 113 f.225FurrerZPV. 1879 (ii.), 52-74 Freiib. 1886 (ix.), 81-145 van Kasterenib. 1888 (xi.), 212-248. Topical Lexicon Identity and SettingKinneroth designates both a freshwater body—the lake later known as the Sea of Galilee—and the fertile plain, city, and cluster of towns on its north–western shore within the tribal allotment of Naphtali. The name evokes the gentle, harp-shaped contour of the lake and the melodious wind that sweeps across its surface. Surrounded by highlands on the west and the rising Golan on the east, Kinneroth stood at the juncture of the northern Jordan Valley and the Galilean hills, making it a strategic gateway between Syria, Phoenicia, and the heartland of Israel. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Border Marker (Numbers 34:11; Deuteronomy 3:17) When Moses defines Israel’s eastern boundary, the “Sea of Chinnereth” becomes a fixed landmark between the Jordan’s inflow and the rising Bashan heights. It anchors the northern limit of the Arabah, testifying that the inheritance promised to Abraham reaches tangible geographical points. 2. Theatre of Conquest (Joshua 11:2; 12:3; 13:27) Joshua’s northern campaign gathers enemy kings “in the Arabah south of Chinneroth” (Joshua 11:2). After victory, the chronicling of Sihon’s and Og’s former realms records “the Arabah as far as the Sea of Chinnereth” (Joshua 12:3). The lake’s shoreline thus becomes a ledger of fulfilled promise: what once belonged to Amorite giants now lies within Israel’s possession. 3. Walled Refuge (Joshua 19:35) Naphtali’s allotment lists “the fortified cities: Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Chinnereth” (Joshua 19:35). The city shared the lake’s name, suggesting either a principal port or an administrative center that safeguarded maritime trade and fisheries, sustaining the tribe through rich agricultural terraces and abundant fish. 4. Object of Foreign Incursion (1 Kings 15:20) During Asa’s reign, Ben-hadad of Aram ravages “all Chinneroth” to force Bashan’s hand against Israel. The swift strike reveals both the lush productivity of the district and its vulnerability when covenant faithfulness wanes. Historical and Archaeological Notes • The plain of Gennesaret—Hellenized from Kinnereth—was praised by first-century observers for its year-round crops, palms, figs, grapes, and balsam. Josephus called it “nature’s ambrosial garden,” highlighting why kings coveted its resources. Ministry Significance 1. Foundation for Galilean Ministry When the Gospels record Jesus teaching beside “the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias),” they stand upon the heritage of Kinneroth. The same shoreline that witnessed Joshua’s victories and Asa’s turmoil later hears Christ’s call, “Follow Me,” to fishermen of Naphtali’s tribe (Matthew 4:13–22). The continuity underscores God’s redemptive plan progressing within identifiable places. 2. Symbol of Provision Abundant springs around Kinneroth irrigated a crescent of orchards described as seemingly spontaneous in fruiting. The lake teemed with tilapia and sardines harvested nightly. These features anticipate Jesus’ feeding miracles in the same locale, where He multiplies loaves and fish drawn from Kinneroth’s waters, displaying the Lord who supplies both covenant land and covenant life. 3. Reminder of Covenant Boundaries The clear demarcation “as far as the Sea of Chinnereth” teaches that divine promises encompass specific borders yet also point beyond them. Paul later interprets land inheritance as a type of the fuller inheritance in Christ (Romans 4:13). Kinneroth thus becomes a sacramental geography—visible ground that directs faith to the ultimate rest. Lessons for the Church • God’s promises reach concrete places and real history; faith need not fear archaeology or geography. Key References Numbers 34:11; Deuteronomy 3:17; Joshua 11:2; Joshua 12:3; Joshua 13:27; Joshua 19:35; 1 Kings 15:20 Forms and Transliterations וְכִנָּֽרֶת׃ וכנרת׃ כִּֽנֲר֖וֹת כִּנְר֔וֹת כִּנְר֜וֹת כִּנֶּ֔רֶת כִּנֶּ֖רֶת כנרות כנרת מִכִּנֶּ֗רֶת מכנרת ki·nă·rō·wṯ kin·ne·reṯ kin·rō·wṯ kinaRot kinărōwṯ kinNeret kinnereṯ kinRot kinrōwṯ mik·kin·ne·reṯ mikkinNeret mikkinnereṯ vechinNaret wə·ḵin·nā·reṯ wəḵinnāreṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 34:11 HEB: כֶּ֥תֶף יָם־ כִּנֶּ֖רֶת קֵֽדְמָה׃ NAS: of the Sea of Chinnereth. KJV: of the sea of Chinnereth eastward: INT: the slope of the Sea of Chinnereth side Deuteronomy 3:17 Joshua 11:2 Joshua 12:3 Joshua 13:27 Joshua 19:35 1 Kings 15:20 7 Occurrences |
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