The term "vicinity" refers to the surrounding area or region near a particular place. In biblical contexts, the concept of vicinity often highlights the geographical and cultural settings that influence events and narratives. Understanding the vicinity of biblical events can provide deeper insights into the historical and theological significance of the Scriptures.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the vicinity of key locations often plays a crucial role in the unfolding of God's plan. For example, the vicinity of Canaan is significant as the Promised Land given to Abraham and his descendants. Genesis 12:6-7 states, "Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, 'To your offspring I will give this land.' So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him."

The vicinity of Jerusalem is another critical area, serving as the center of worship and the location of the Temple. The surrounding regions, such as Judea and Samaria, are frequently mentioned in relation to Jerusalem, emphasizing its central role in Israel's religious life.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the vicinity of certain locations is often highlighted in the ministry of Jesus and the early church. For instance, the region of Galilee is frequently mentioned as the area where Jesus conducted much of His ministry. Matthew 4:23 notes, "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people."

The vicinity of the Sea of Galilee is particularly significant, as many of Jesus' miracles and teachings occurred there. The Sermon on the Mount, for example, is traditionally believed to have been delivered in this region, underscoring the importance of the surrounding area in Jesus' ministry.

Cultural and Theological Implications

The vicinity of biblical events often reflects the cultural and theological dynamics at play. The proximity of different peoples and cultures, such as the Philistines, Moabites, and Edomites, to Israel often led to conflicts and interactions that shaped Israel's history and identity. These interactions are seen as part of God's sovereign plan, using the surrounding nations to discipline, test, or bless His people.

In the New Testament, the spread of the Gospel from Jerusalem to the surrounding regions and eventually to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8) illustrates the expanding reach of God's kingdom. The vicinity of Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the broader Roman Empire becomes the backdrop for the early church's mission, highlighting the fulfillment of Jesus' Great Commission.

Conclusion

The concept of vicinity in the Bible underscores the importance of geographical and cultural contexts in understanding God's redemptive work. By examining the surrounding areas of key biblical events, believers can gain a richer appreciation of the historical and theological dimensions of Scripture.1. (n.) The quality or state of being near, or not remote; nearness; propinquity; proximity; as, the value of the estate was increased by the vicinity of two country seats.

2. (n.) That which is near, or not remote; that which is adjacent to anything; adjoining space or country; neighborhood.

4066. perichoros -- neighboring
... From peri and chora; around the region, ie Circumjacent (as noun, with ge implied
vicinity) -- country (round) about, region (that lieth) round about. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4066.htm - 6k

3844. para -- from beside, by the side of, by, beside
... preposition; properly, near; ie (with genitive case) from beside (literally or
figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3844.htm - 8k

4012. peri -- about, concerning, around (denotes place, cause or ...
... 48), condition* (1), connection (2), followers* (1), help (1), neighborhood (1),
over (1), over...about (1), refers (1), regard (3), regarding (4), vicinity (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4012.htm - 8k

4038. perix -- (all) around
... round about, neighboring. Word Origin adverb from peri Definition (all)
around NASB Word Usage vicinity (1). around. Adverb from ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4038.htm - 6k

3725. horion -- a boundary
... Word Origin from horos (a boundary) Definition a boundary NASB Word Usage
district (1), region (10), vicinity (1). border, coast. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3725.htm - 6k

Simon's Interpretation of the Mosaic Hexaemeron; his Allegorical ...
... vessels [632] proceed forth from Edem, that is, the caul in which the foetus is
enveloped grows into the (foetus) that is being formed in the vicinity of the ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter ix simons interpretation of the.htm

Of the Calling of the Apostles as they were Fishing.
... raised as to how John gives us this account of the calling of the disciples, which
is to the effect that, certainly not in Galilee, but in the vicinity of the ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter xvii of the calling of.htm

Chapter xiii
... part of it, before Yahweh destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah; in fact, it was as the garden
of Yahweh, or at least even as the land of Egypt, in the vicinity of Zoar ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xiii.htm

The Gadarene Demoniac. --Christ's Treatment of Him after the Cure. ...
... Christ landed on the eastern shore, near the town of Gadara. Many pagans probably
resided in that vicinity, as herds of swine abounded. ...
/.../section 132 the gadarene demoniac.htm

The General Epistle of Jude
... district, since they had evidently received oral instruction from the apostles
generally, and were therefore most likely in the vicinity of Palestine. ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the general epistle of jude.htm

Church Union.
... The London Mission has also been greatly blessed. They now have in connection with
their church at Amoy and in vicinity one hundred and fifty-one members. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/fagg/forty years in south china/viii church union.htm

The Story of Histiaeus.
... He did not, perhaps, consider that this territory, being in Thrace, or in its immediate
vicinity, came within the jurisdiction of Megabyzus, whom he had left ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter x the story of.htm

The Battle of Salamis.
... The Corinthians, on the other hand, considered Athens as already lost, and it seemed
madness to them to linger uselessly in the vicinity of the ruin which had ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter xi the battle of.htm

The Battle of Thermopylae.
... ordered the Immortals themselves to be called out on the following morning, and
then, placing himself at the head of them, he advanced to the vicinity of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter ix the battle of.htm

Time Changes Nations' Dresses --And Fortunes.
... So, too, in your immediate vicinity, the sister State [3] used to clothe (her
citizens); and wherever else in Africa Tyre (has settled). ...
/.../tertullian/on the pallium/chapter i time changes nations dressesand.htm

Vicinity (18 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The quality or state of being near, or not remote; nearness; propinquity;
proximity; as, the value of the estate was increased by the vicinity of two ...
/v/vicinity.htm - 11k

Goshen (16 Occurrences)
... Dr. Naville in 1887 found the word as denoting the vicinity of Pi-sopt (now
Saft el Henneh), 6 miles East of Zagazig-in the form Qsm. ...
/g/goshen.htm - 19k

Neighborhood (7 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A place near; vicinity; adjoining district; a region the inhabitants of
which may be counted as neighbors; as, he lives in my neighborhood. ...
/n/neighborhood.htm - 8k

Moreshethgath (1 Occurrence)
... It must have been in the vicinity of Gath as the meaning of the name would indicate,
and was the home of the prophet Micah (Micah 1:1 Jeremiah 26:18). ...
/m/moreshethgath.htm - 8k

Moresheth-gath (1 Occurrence)
... It must have been in the vicinity of Gath as the meaning of the name would indicate,
and was the home of the prophet Micah (Micah 1:1 Jeremiah 26:18). ...
/m/moresheth-gath.htm - 8k

Korah (51 Occurrences)
... Yahweh directed Moses to warn all other persons to leave the vicinity.
Dathan and Abiram, however, were not at the mishkan. The ...
/k/korah.htm - 44k

Jordan (188 Occurrences)
... 4. The Yarmuk: As all the sediment of the upper Jordan settles in the vicinity of
the delta near Capernaum, a stream of pellucid water issues from the southern ...
/j/jordan.htm - 70k

Vice (2 Occurrences)

/v/vice.htm - 8k

Potter (14 Occurrences)
... It is dug out and brought to the vicinity of the pottery (the "potter's
field," Matthew 27:7) and allowed to weather for weeks. ...
/p/potter.htm - 28k

Pottery (11 Occurrences)
... It is dug out and brought to the vicinity of the pottery (the "potter's
field," Matthew 27:7) and allowed to weather for weeks. ...
/p/pottery.htm - 27k

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Vicinity: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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