Sea of Galilee
Sea of Galilee – Biblical Location in Israel
The Sea of Galilee is also known in the Bible as the Sea of Gennesaret, Sea of Tiberias, and Sea of Kinnereth. The Sea of Galilee isn’t really a “sea” per se – it is actually a freshwater lake fed by nearby mountains and springs, which combine at the head of the Jordan River to the north. The Jordan River then passes through the lake, which is about 13 miles long and 8 miles wide. The Sea of Galilee is 686 feet below sea level, making it the lowest freshwater lake in the world.
The landscape around the Sea of Galilee is unique. To the east and west, the ground rises steeply from the shore to fertile plateaus above. The black basalt boulders that cover the hillsides are typical of a landscape that was once volcanic. When this black basalt was used as building materials in the ancient towns and synagogues, such as Capernaum and Chorazin, it gave a dark, glistening look.
From the southern shore, you can see the twin peaks of Mount Canaan to the north, with the snow-covered Mount Hermon way beyond in the distance. From the west, you can see the small white houses of Ein Gev over on the eastern shore. Beyond Ein Gev rises a hill that was the site of the Hellenistic town, Hippos. From the east, you can see Magdala Bay on the northwestern shore, which lies just below biblical Tabgha and Capernaum.
Sea of Galilee – Ancient Description by Josephus
The land surrounding the Sea of Galilee today appears rather quiet and barren. However, history tells us that this wasn’t the case during the time of Jesus. This was a hub for agriculture and trade. The 1st century historian Josephus describes the area as follows:
“Its nature is wonderful as well as its beauty; its soil is so fruitful that all sorts of trees can grow upon it, and the inhabitants accordingly plant all sorts of trees there; for the temper of the air is so well mixed, that it agrees very well with those several sorts, particularly walnuts, which require the coldest air; there are palm trees also which grow best in hot air; fig trees also and olives grow near them, which yet require an air that is more temperate. One may call this place the ambition of nature, where it forces those plants that are naturally enemies to one another to agree together…
“It supplies men with the principal fruits, with grapes and figs continually during ten months of the year and the rest of the fruit as they become ripe together through the whole year; for besides the good temperature of the air, it is also watered from a most fertile fountain.”
Jewish tradition says that the fruit around the Sea of Galilee “ripened as fast as a deer could run.”
“One could eat a hundred pieces of it and still wish for more.”
Randall acts as the lead writer for ColdWater’s Drive Thru History® TV series and Drive Thru History® “Adventures” curriculum.