Inlets, as geographical features, are narrow bodies of water between islands or leading inland from a larger body of water, often the sea. While the term "inlet" itself is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, the concept is relevant in understanding the geographical and historical context of certain biblical events and locations.

Geographical Context

The land of Israel and its surrounding regions are characterized by a diverse topography, including coastlines along the Mediterranean Sea. The presence of inlets and natural harbors would have been significant for trade, travel, and military strategy in biblical times. The ancient cities of Tyre and Sidon, for example, were prominent Phoenician cities located along the coast, benefiting from natural harbors that may have included inlets.

Biblical References

While the Bible does not specifically mention inlets, it does refer to bodies of water and coastal regions that would have included such features. For instance, the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Lake of Gennesaret, is a freshwater lake in the region of Galilee. It is fed and drained by the Jordan River, creating natural inlets and outlets. Jesus' ministry around the Sea of Galilee included many events that took place on or near the water, such as the calling of the first disciples (Matthew 4:18-22) and the calming of the storm (Mark 4:35-41).

Historical and Cultural Significance

Inlets and coastal regions played a crucial role in the economic and cultural exchanges of the ancient Near East. The Israelites, though not primarily a seafaring people, interacted with maritime cultures such as the Phoenicians. King Solomon's alliance with Hiram, king of Tyre, included joint ventures in maritime trade (1 Kings 9:26-28). The construction of a fleet at Ezion-Geber, near Eloth on the shore of the Red Sea, highlights the importance of access to the sea and its inlets for trade and wealth.

Symbolic and Theological Implications

Water, including seas, rivers, and by extension, inlets, holds significant symbolic meaning in the Bible. It represents life, chaos, cleansing, and divine provision. The parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22) and the crossing of the Jordan River (Joshua 3:14-17) are pivotal events where God demonstrates His power and faithfulness to His people. In the New Testament, water is central to the sacrament of baptism, symbolizing purification and new life in Christ (Matthew 3:13-17).

In summary, while inlets are not directly mentioned in the biblical text, understanding their geographical and historical context enriches the study of biblical narratives and the life of ancient Israel. The presence of inlets and coastal features underscores the interconnectedness of the biblical world with surrounding cultures and the significance of water in the biblical narrative.

How the Britons, Being Ravaged by the Scots and Picts, Sought ...
... of their being seated out of Britain, but because they were separated from that
part of it which was possessed by the Britons, two broad and long inlets of the ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xii how the britons.htm

General Conclusion.
... Amid these reefs and inlets, amid these shallows and straits of idolatry, Faith,
her sails filled by the Spirit of God, navigates; safe if cautious, secure if ...
/.../tertullian/on idolatry/chapter xxiv general conclusion.htm

The Spirit of Bondage and of Adoption.
... Hence having no inlets for the knowledge of spiritual things, all the avenues of
his soul being shut up, he is in gross, stupid ignorance of whatever he is ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 9 the spirit of.htm

The Great Privilege of those that are Born of God
... Every sense is employed upon such objects as are peculiarly suitable to it; and
by these inlets the soul, having an open intercourse with the visible world ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 19 the great privilege.htm

'Concerning the Crown'
... men know what it means to live: so buoyant, elastic, unwearied shall be their energies,
so manifold the new outlets for activity, and the new inlets for the ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/concerning the crown.htm

Awake, Thou that Sleepest
... And hence, having no spiritual senses, no inlets of spiritual knowledge, the natural
man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; nay, he is so far from ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 3 awake thou that.htm

His Attributes.
... Why therefore should we exclude the satisfaction of these faculties, which we find
by experience are inlets of great pleasure to the soul, from among those ...
/.../his attributes.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... returned. All its inlets and outlets and also the greatest part of the
apartments were choked up with ruins, rubbish, and mortar. ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 62.htm

God with Us, and we with God
... we can say, that there will be, as yet unimaginable, new wealths of revelation of
the Father, and to match them, as yet unimaginable new inlets of apprehension ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/god with us and we.htm

Fresh Supplies of Power.
... reading of this last,""be ye filling with the Spirit." That suggests two things,
a habitual inflow, and, that it depends on us to keep the inlets ever open. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on power/fresh supplies of power.htm

Inlets (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Inlets (4 Occurrences). Judges 5:17 Gilead was
living over Jordan; and Dan was waiting in his ships; Asher ...
/i/inlets.htm - 7k

Side-rooms (7 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Ezekiel 41:6 And the side-rooms, room over room, were three times thirty;
there were inlets in the wall of the house for the side-rooms round about, for ...
/s/side-rooms.htm - 8k

Rooms (69 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 41:6 And the side-rooms, room over room, were three times thirty; there
were inlets in the wall of the house for the side-rooms round about, for ...
/r/rooms.htm - 28k

Outlets (3 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 43:11 And since they have been ashamed of all that they have done, The form
of the house, and its measurement, And its outlets, and its inlets, and all ...
/o/outlets.htm - 7k

Wider (5 Occurrences)
... side-rooms became wider as they went higher up the house, by the amount of the space
let into the wall up round about the house, because of the inlets in the ...
/w/wider.htm - 8k

Inlet (4 Occurrences)

/i/inlet.htm - 7k

Inmate (1 Occurrence)

/i/inmate.htm - 7k

Measurement (14 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 43:11 And since they have been ashamed of all that they have done, The form
of the house, and its measurement, And its outlets, and its inlets, and all ...
/m/measurement.htm - 10k

Phoenicians
... There are few harbors on the whole coast, none in the modern sense, since what few
bays and inlets there are afford but slight shelter to modern ships, but ...
/p/phoenicians.htm - 38k

Patmos (1 Occurrence)
... The population of the island numbers 3,000, almost entirely Greek. The ancient capital
was on an isthmus between the inlets of La Scala and Merika. ...
/p/patmos.htm - 9k

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