Topical Encyclopedia Phenicia, also spelled Phoenicia, is an ancient region located along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, primarily corresponding to modern-day Lebanon and parts of Syria and Israel. Known for its significant role in maritime trade and cultural exchange, Phenicia is frequently mentioned in the Bible, particularly in the context of its interactions with the Israelites.Geography and Cities Phenicia was a narrow strip of land bounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the west and the Lebanon Mountains to the east. Its major cities included Tyre, Sidon, and Byblos, which were prominent centers of commerce and industry. The region's strategic location facilitated its development as a hub for trade and communication between various ancient civilizations. Historical Context The Phoenicians were renowned for their skills in shipbuilding, navigation, and trade. They established extensive trade networks across the Mediterranean, reaching as far as Spain and North Africa. Their influence is evident in the spread of the Phoenician alphabet, which became the basis for many modern writing systems. Biblical References Phenicia is mentioned in several biblical passages, often highlighting its interactions with Israel and its role in the broader ancient Near Eastern context. The cities of Tyre and Sidon are frequently noted for their wealth and influence. 1. Trade and Commerce: The Phoenicians were known for their trade in luxury goods, including purple dye, glass, and cedar wood. In Ezekiel 27, Tyre is described as a wealthy and powerful city, a "merchant of the peoples" (Ezekiel 27:3), trading with many nations. 2. Relations with Israel: The relationship between Phenicia and Israel was complex, involving both cooperation and conflict. King Hiram of Tyre provided materials and craftsmen for the construction of Solomon's Temple, as recorded in 1 Kings 5: "Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon when he heard that he had been anointed king in place of his father, for Hiram had always been a friend of David" (1 Kings 5:1). 3. Prophetic Warnings: The prophets often spoke against the cities of Phenicia for their pride and idolatry. Isaiah 23 and Ezekiel 26-28 contain prophecies against Tyre, foretelling its downfall due to its arrogance and reliance on wealth. 4. New Testament Mentions: In the New Testament, Phenicia is mentioned in the context of early Christian missionary activity. Acts 11:19 notes that believers scattered by persecution traveled as far as Phenicia, spreading the gospel. Additionally, Jesus visited the region of Tyre and Sidon, performing miracles and teaching (Mark 7:24-30). Cultural and Religious Influence The Phoenicians were polytheistic, worshiping a pantheon of gods and goddesses. Their religious practices and deities occasionally influenced neighboring cultures, including Israel. The Bible records instances where Israel was warned against adopting Phoenician religious practices, such as the worship of Baal, a prominent Phoenician deity. Legacy Phenicia's legacy is evident in its contributions to language, trade, and cultural exchange. The spread of the Phoenician alphabet had a lasting impact on the development of writing systems in the ancient world. Despite its eventual decline, the historical and cultural significance of Phenicia remains a subject of interest in biblical studies and archaeology. Easton's Bible Dictionary (Acts 21:2) = Phenice (11:19; 15:3; R.V., Phoenicia), Gr. phoinix, "a palm", the land of palm-trees; a strip of land of an average breadth of about 20 miles along the shores of the Mediterranean, from the river Eleutherus in the north to the promotory of Carmel in the south, about 120 miles in length. This name is not found in the Old Testament, and in the New Testament it is mentioned only in the passages above referred to."In the Egyptian inscriptions Phoenicia is called Keft, the inhabitants being Kefa; and since Keft-ur, or `Greater Phoenicia,' was the name given to the delta of the Nile from the Phoenician colonies settled upon it, the Philistines who came from Caphtor or Keft-ur must have been of Phoenician origin" (Comp. Deuteronomy 2:23; Jeremiah 47:4; Amos 9:7)., Sayce's Bible and the Monuments. Phoenicia lay in the very centre of the old world, and was the natural entrepot for commerce with foreign nations. It was the "England of antiquity." "The trade routes from all Asia converged on the Phoenician coast; the centres of commerce on the Euphrates and Tigris forwarding their goods by way of Tyre to the Nile, to Arabia, and to the west; and, on the other hand, the productions of the vast regions bordering the Mediterranean passing through the Canaanite capital to the eastern world." It was "situate at the entry of the sea, a merchant of the people for many isles" (Ezek. 27:3, 4). The far-reaching commercial activity of the Phoenicians, especially with Tarshish and the western world, enriched them with vast wealth, which introduced boundless luxury and developed among them a great activity in all manner of arts and manufactures. (see TYRE.) The Phoenicians were the most enterprising merchants of the old world, establishing colonies at various places, of which Carthage was the chief. They were a Canaanite branch of the race of Ham, and are frequently called Sidonians, from their principal city of Sidon. None could "skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians" (1 Kings 5:6). King Hiram rendered important service to Solomon in connection with the planning and building of the temple, casting for him all the vessels for the temple service, and the two pillars which stood in the front of the porch, and "the molten sea" (1 Kings 7:21-23). Singular Marks have been found by recent exploration on the great stones that form the substructure of the temple. These Marks, both painted and engraved, have been regarded as made by the workmen in the quarries, and as probably intended to indicate the place of these stones in the building. "The Biblical account (1 Kings 5:17, 18) is accurately descriptive of the massive masonry now existing at the south-eastern angle (of the temple area), and standing on the native rock 80 feet below the present surface. The Royal Engineers found, buried deeply among the rubbish of many centuries, great stones, costly and hewed stones, forming the foundation of the sanctuary wall; while Phoenician fragments of pottery and Phoenician Marks painted on the massive blocks seem to proclaim that the stones were prepared in the quarry by the cunning workmen of Hiram, the king of Tyre." (see TEMPLE.) The Phoenicians have been usually regarded as the inventors of alphabetic writing. The Egyptians expressed their thoughts by certain symbols, called "hieroglyphics", i.e., sacred carvings, so styled because used almost exclusively on sacred subjects. The recent discovery, however, of inscriptions in Southern Arabia (Yemen and Hadramaut), known as Hemyaritic, in connection with various philogical considerations, has led some to the conclusion that the Phoenician alphabet was derived from the Mineans (admitting the antiquity of the kingdom of Ma'in, Judges 10:12; 2 Chronicles 26:7). Thus the Phoenician alphabet ceases to be the mother alphabet. Sayce thinks "it is more than possible that the Egyptians themselves were emigrants from Southern Arabia." (see MOABITE STONE.) "The Phoenicians were renowned in ancient times for the manufacture of glass, and some of the specimens of this work that have been preserved are still the wonder of mankind...In the matter of shipping, whether ship-building be thought of or traffic upon the sea, the Phoenicians surpassed all other nations." "The name Phoenicia is of uncertain origin, though it may be derived from Fenkhu, the name given in the Egyptian inscriptions to the natives of Palestine. Among the chief Phoenician cities were Tyre and Sidon, Gebal north of Beirut, Arvad or Arados and Zemar." International Standard Bible Encyclopedia PHENICIAfe-nish'-i-a (Phoinike). Greek 5403. Phoinike -- Phoenicia, a region North of Galilee ... Phoenicia. From phoinix; palm-country; Phoenice (or Phoenicia), a region of Palestine -- Phenice, Phenicia. see GREEK phoinix. (phoiniken) -- 2 Occurrences. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5403.htm - 6k Library Acts XXI Acts XV Acts XI Acts xx. 32 The Impending Conflict. Drawing Nearer to the Storm Letter xxxiii. To Paula. Letter cxxvi. To Marcellinus and Anapsychia. The Breaking Out of Discord Paul in Malta and Rome. Thesaurus Phenicia (1 Occurrence)...PHENICIA. fe-nish'-ia (Phoinike). See PHOENICIA. ...Phenicia (1 Occurrence). Acts 21:2 And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth. ... /p/phenicia.htm - 12k Phenice (3 Occurrences) Pheresites Sailing (23 Occurrences) Finding (57 Occurrences) Phoenicia (6 Occurrences) Syrophenician (1 Occurrence) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible ThesuarusConcordance Phenicia (1 Occurrence)Acts 21:2 Subtopics Phenicia: Inhabitants of, Descended from Canaan Phenicia: Jews From, Hear Jesus Phenicia: Paul Visits the Congregations In Related Terms |
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