Byblus, known in the ancient world as Gebal, is a significant city located on the coast of modern-day Lebanon. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with a history that dates back to the Neolithic period. Byblus is mentioned in various ancient texts and has a rich history intertwined with the biblical narrative and the broader ancient Near Eastern context.

Historical and Biblical Context

Byblus was a prominent city in the ancient Phoenician civilization, known for its trade and production of papyrus, which was exported throughout the Mediterranean. The name "Byblus" itself is derived from the Greek word for papyrus, reflecting the city's role in the trade of this important writing material. The city was a hub of commerce and culture, influencing and interacting with neighboring civilizations, including Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Israel.

In the Bible, Byblus is referred to as Gebal. It is mentioned in several passages, highlighting its significance during biblical times. In Ezekiel 27:9, the city is noted for its skilled craftsmen: "The elders of Gebal and its wise men repaired your leaks. All the ships of the sea and their sailors came alongside to barter for your goods." This passage underscores the city's reputation for expertise in shipbuilding and repair, contributing to the maritime prowess of the Phoenicians.

Byblus is also mentioned in Psalm 83:7, where it is listed among the nations conspiring against Israel: "Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek, Philistia with the people of Tyre." This inclusion in the psalm indicates the city's involvement in regional politics and conflicts, often aligning with other nations against the Israelites.

Cultural and Religious Significance

Byblus was a center of religious activity, particularly in the worship of the goddess Baalat Gebal, who was associated with the Egyptian goddess Hathor. The city's religious practices were typical of the Canaanite and Phoenician pantheon, which often stood in contrast to the monotheistic worship of Yahweh by the Israelites. The syncretism and idolatry prevalent in Byblus and similar cities were frequently condemned by the prophets of Israel.

The city's religious and cultural influence extended into the Hellenistic period, where it continued to be a center of learning and culture. Byblus played a role in the transmission of the Phoenician alphabet, which significantly influenced the development of Greek and, subsequently, Western alphabets.

Archaeological Insights

Archaeological excavations in Byblus have uncovered a wealth of information about its ancient past. The city's ruins include temples, royal tombs, and fortifications, providing insight into its architectural and cultural achievements. These findings have helped scholars understand the city's role in the ancient world and its interactions with neighboring cultures.

The discovery of inscriptions and artifacts in Byblus has also contributed to the study of ancient languages and scripts, particularly the Phoenician alphabet, which is considered one of the ancestors of modern alphabets.

Conclusion

Byblus, or Gebal, remains a testament to the rich history and cultural interactions of the ancient Near East. Its mention in the Bible highlights its significance during biblical times, both as a center of craftsmanship and as a participant in the complex political landscape of the region. The city's archaeological and historical legacy continues to offer valuable insights into the ancient world and its enduring influence on subsequent civilizations.BYBLUS

bib'-lus.

See GEBAL.

Peter Goes to Byblus and Tripolis.
... Homily VII. Chapter XII."Peter Goes to Byblus and Tripolis. As he said
these things, all fell on their knees before his feet. ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xii peter goes to byblus.htm

Dedication
... DEDICATION. TO THE PURE SOUL OF MY SISTER HENRIETTE. Who Died at Byblus
on the 24th of September, 1861. Dost thou recall, from the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/dedication.htm

Index.
... Constantius Aug. VIII, Julianus C??sar I; the same governor Maximus the Elder of
Nic??a, Pr??fect of Egypt, who was succeeded by Cataphronius of Byblus. ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/index 2.htm

The Real Nature and Purpose of the Old Testament
... As is well known, our English word Bible came originally from the Papyrus or Byblus
reed, the pith of which was widely used in antiquity as the material from ...
/.../the origin and permanent value of the old testament/ii the real nature and.htm

Peter's Arrival at Tripolis.
... Now, as Peter was entering Tripolis, [1085] the people from Tyre and Sidon, Berytus
and Byblus, who were eager [1086] to get instruction, and many from the ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter i peters arrival at tripolis.htm

How the Gospels came to be Written
... [1] The name 'Bible' is derived from the Greek word 'Byblus,' ie 'Papyrus,'
the paper reed on which the New Testament was written. ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter xi how the gospels.htm

The Clementine Homilies
... Chapter X.--Simon is Driven Away. Chapter XI.--The Way of Salvation. Chapter
XII.--Peter Goes to Byblus and Tripolis. Homily VIII. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the clementine homilies/

Of the [Temple And] Cities that were Built by Herod and Erected ...
... He built palaces for exercise at Tripoli, and Damascus, and Ptolemais; he built
a wall about Byblus, as also large rooms, and cloisters, and temples, and market ...
/.../chapter 21 of the temple.htm

The Apology of Aristides as it is Preserved in the History of ...
... He was slain by his own brother Typhon; and therefore Isis with Horos her son fled
for refuge to Byblus in Syria, mourning for Osiris with bitter lamentation ...
/.../kay/the apology of aristides the philosopher/the apology of aristides as.htm

Narrative of Events at Alexandria in the Time of Lucius the Arian ...
... dicebantur. His pr??erat comes largitionum comitatensium.". [743] Beyrout,
between the ancient Byblus and Sidon. Near here St. George ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xix narrative of events at.htm

Byblus
Byblus. By, Byblus. Bye . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia BYBLUS.
bib'-lus. See GEBAL. By, Byblus. Bye . Reference Bible.
/b/byblus.htm - 6k

By (30426 Occurrences)

/b/by.htm - 8k

Gebal (3 Occurrences)
... GEBAL. ge'-bal (gebhal, "border"; Bublos, and Biblos; Byblus, modern Jebeil): (1)
An ancient Phoenician city, situated on a bluff of the foothills of Lebanon ...
/g/gebal.htm - 11k

Botrys
... bot'-ris (Botrus; modern Batrun): A town of Phoenicia on the coast some miles North
of Gebal (Byblus) on the southern side of the bold promontory called in ...
/b/botrys.htm - 6k

Bye (1 Occurrence)

/b/bye.htm - 7k

Lebanon (66 Occurrences)
... the depredations of man and his domestic animals, he crosses by turns at higher
and higher levels the headwaters of the Ibrahim, Fedar, Jozeh, Byblus and the ...
/l/lebanon.htm - 45k

Phoenicians
... The first is the Phoenician History of Sanchoniathon, of Beirut, which Philo of
Byblus claims to have translated from the Phoenician original. ...
/p/phoenicians.htm - 38k

Phoenicia (6 Occurrences)
... The first is the Phoenician History of Sanchoniathon, of Beirut, which Philo of
Byblus claims to have translated from the Phoenician original. ...
/p/phoenicia.htm - 40k

Tyre (59 Occurrences)
... of Egypt, Tyre regained her independence and exercised the hegemony over most of
the Phoenician towns, at least as far North as Gebal (Byblus), as appears in ...
/t/tyre.htm - 45k

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