In biblical contexts, the term "mainland" is not explicitly mentioned in the Scriptures. However, the concept of mainland can be inferred through various geographical references and narratives that involve land masses distinct from islands or peninsulas. The Bible often describes regions, territories, and lands that can be understood as mainland areas, particularly in the context of the ancient Near East.

Geographical Context

The ancient Near East, the primary setting of the biblical narrative, includes several significant mainland regions. These include Mesopotamia, Canaan, Egypt, and the broader regions surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. The mainland areas were crucial for trade, travel, and the spread of cultures and ideas. For instance, the land of Canaan, often referred to as the Promised Land, is a significant mainland region where much of the Old Testament narrative unfolds.

Biblical References

While the term "mainland" is not directly used, the Bible frequently refers to lands and territories that can be understood as mainland regions. For example, in the Book of Acts, the Apostle Paul travels extensively across the mainland regions of Asia Minor, Greece, and eventually to Rome. Acts 16:6-10 describes Paul's journey through Phrygia and Galatia, regions that are part of the mainland of Asia Minor.

Cultural and Historical Significance

Mainland regions in biblical times were often centers of political power, cultural development, and religious activity. The land of Israel, situated on the mainland of the eastern Mediterranean, served as a crossroads for various civilizations and was a focal point for God's covenant with His people. The mainland's strategic location made it a target for empires such as Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, and Rome, each seeking to control its valuable trade routes and resources.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of land, including mainland regions, holds significant importance in the Bible. The land is often seen as a gift from God, a place of promise and blessing. In Genesis 12:1-3 , God calls Abram to leave his homeland and go to a land that He will show him, promising to make Abram a great nation. This promise of land is central to the Abrahamic covenant and is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures.

Symbolism and Metaphor

In a metaphorical sense, the idea of mainland can represent stability, permanence, and the fulfillment of God's promises. Just as the mainland is a solid and enduring landmass, God's promises are seen as steadfast and reliable. The Israelites' journey to the Promised Land symbolizes the spiritual journey of believers toward the fulfillment of God's promises in their lives.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly use the term "mainland," the concept is woven throughout the biblical narrative through references to land, territories, and regions. These mainland areas are integral to understanding the historical, cultural, and theological context of the Scriptures.(n.) The continent; the principal land; -- opposed to island, or peninsula.7704. sadeh -- field, land
... battlefield* (1), country (14), countryside (1), countryside* (1), field (235),
fields (32), ground (3), ground* (1), land (16), lands (1), mainland (2), soil ...
/hebrew/7704.htm - 6k

At the Foot of the Bamboos
... We also have a pleasant view of the mainland beyond the harbor. From our
house we can count a number of villages on the mainland ...
//christianbookshelf.org/fagg/forty years in south china/v at the foot of.htm

His Missionary Travels
... The Mainland of Asia Minor. 83. ... The Mainland of Asia."The next move was as obviously
the choice of the new leader as the first one had been due to Barnabas. ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter vi his missionary travels.htm

Providential Preparations for the Discovery of America --Spiritual ...
... unmistakable traces are now discovered of enterprises, not only of exploration and
trade, but also of evangelization, reaching along the mainland southward to ...
/.../a history of american christianity/chapter i providential preparations for.htm

The Blossoming Desert.
... preaching of Doty and Talmage in the chapels and on the streets of Amoy city, among
the towns and villages of Amoy Island and the mainland; the apostolic ...
/.../fagg/forty years in south china/vii the blossoming desert.htm

The Last Two Decades.
... means 'Gospel boat.' Mr. Stronach embarked on one of these 'Gospel boats.' He expected
to land at one of the Mission stations on the mainland northeast from ...
/.../fagg/forty years in south china/xi the last two decades.htm

The Savanna of Aripo
... and the most I could do was to see at Aripo a small specimen of that peculiar Savanna
vegetation, which occupies thousands of square miles on the mainland. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xii the savanna of.htm

The Gospel According to St. Mark
... At any rate, the Greek can be so interpreted. After crossing from Paphos to the
mainland of Asia Minor, the missionaries arrived at Perga. Here St. ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter iv the gospel according.htm

The Sympathy of the Two Worlds
... We seem as if we dwelt in an isle cut off from the mainland. This world, like a
fair planet, swims in a sea of ether unnavigated by mortal ship. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the sympathy of the two.htm

The Legend of La Brea {331A}
... Told how"'Once that loathly Pitch Lake Was a garden bright and fair; How
the Chaymas off the mainland Built their palm ajoupas there. ...
/.../kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the legend of la brea.htm

Marcus, My Son
... We know how he left the Apostles, when they crossed from Cyprus to the mainland,
and retreated to his mother's house at Jerusalem. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/marcus my son.htm

Mainland (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The continent; the principal land; -- opposed to
island, or peninsula. Multi-Version Concordance Mainland (3 Occurrences). ...
/m/mainland.htm - 7k

Tyre (59 Occurrences)
... Tyre consisted of two distinct parts, a rocky fortress on the mainland, called
"Old Tyre," and the city, built on a small, rocky island about half-a-mile ...
/t/tyre.htm - 45k

Chios (1 Occurrence)
... Mentioned in Acts 20:15, an island in the Aegean Sea, about 5 miles distant from
the mainland, having a roadstead, in the shelter of which Paul and his ...
/c/chios.htm - 11k

Corinth (13 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A Grecian city, on the isthmus which joins the Peloponnesus
to the mainland of Greece. It is about 48 miles west of Athens. ...
/c/corinth.htm - 21k

Samos (1 Occurrence)
... It is situated at the mouth of the bay of Ephesus, between the cities of EPHESUS
and MILETUS (which see), and separated from the mainland of Ionia by the ...
/s/samos.htm - 9k

Land (19790 Occurrences)
... land. 5. (n.) The inhabitants of a nation or people. 6. (n.) The mainland,
in distinction from islands. 7. (n.) The ground or floor. ...
/l/land.htm - 21k

Trogyllium (1 Occurrence)
... From the coast near Miletus the promontory projects into the sea toward the island
of Samos; the strait separating the mainland from the island is scarcely a ...
/t/trogyllium.htm - 8k

Tongue (160 Occurrences)
... into a groove. 15. (n.) A point, or long, narrow strip of land, projecting
from the mainland into a sea or a lake. 16. (n.) The ...
/t/tongue.htm - 42k

Mainsail (1 Occurrence)

/m/mainsail.htm - 7k

Melita (1 Occurrence)
... islands including Gozo and the islets Comino, Cominotto and Filfla, lying about
56 miles from the southern extremity of Sicily, 174 from the mainland of Italy ...
/m/melita.htm - 10k

What is Taoism / Daoism? | GotQuestions.org

What is The 700 Club? Is The 700 Club biblical? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Church of Almighty God / Eastern Lightning? | GotQuestions.org

Mainland: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus