Sea of Galilee | lake, Israel | Britannica.com Sea of Galilee Alternative Titles: Buḥayrat Ṭabarīyā, Lake of Gennesaret, Lake Tiberias, Sea of Kinerot, Sea of Kinneret, Yam Kinneret Related Topics Asia Sea of Galilee, also called Lake Tiberias, Arabic Buḥayrat Ṭabarīyā, Hebrew Yam Kinneret, lake in Israel through which the Jordan River flows. It is famous for its biblical associations; its Old Testament name was Sea of Chinnereth, and later it was called the Lake of Gennesaret. From 1948 to 1967 it was bordered immediately to the northeast by the cease-fire line with Syria . Sea of Galilee, Israel. Nadavspi Physical features The lake has a surface area of 64 square miles (166 square km). Its maximum depth, measured in the northeast, is 157 feet (48 metres). Extending 13 miles (21 km) from north to south and 7 miles (11 km) from east to west, it is pear-shaped.

Its surface elevation was long given as 686 feet (209 metres) below sea level, but for decades the annual water level generally has been 6.5 to 13 feet (2 to 4 metres) below the traditional level. Mountains rising beyond the Sea of Galilee, Israel. © AbleStock.com/Jupiterimages The Sea of Galilee is located in the great depression of the Jordan . The Plain of Gennesaret extends in a circular arc from the north to the northwest, and the Plain of Bet Ẓayda (Buteiha) in Syria extends to the northeast. To the west and southwest, the hills of Lower Galilee fall abruptly to the lake’s edge. In the mid-eastern sections, the cliffs of the Golan Heights overlook the lake. The plateau reappears again in the southeast, becoming larger as it approaches the valley of the Yarmūk River , a tributary that has its confluence with the Jordan a short distance to the south of the lake. Also to the south, the plain of the Ghawr (Ghor) begins, but the Sea of Galilee is separated from it by a narrow ridge through which the Jordan River flows.

Similar Topics Chilka Lake The greatest part of the region is covered by basalts that have been formed since the Miocene Epoch (about 23 to 5.3 million years ago) and that are part of the vast area of Mount Durūz , located in Syria. Since the Miocene Epoch began, lacustrine limestones and marls (calcareous clays) have been deposited. The Jordan Valley is part of the East African Rift System , which forms the deep trench through which a tributary of the Jordan River passes to the east of the lake. Smaller and less-important faults occur to the west. The depression was hollowed out at the end of the Pliocene Epoch (about 5.3 to 2.6 million years ago) and was partially filled in again by lacustrine and fluvial sediments. During the humid periods of the Quaternary Period (the past 2.6 million years), the Dead Sea extended up to this point. During the last pluvial period, about 20,000 years ago, a great lake called the Lake of Lisan covered the region. Since then the waters have receded.

Because of its sheltered location, low elevation, and the influence of the lake itself, the winters are mild, with temperatures averaging 57 °F (14 °C) in January. The absence of freezing temperatures has facilitated the cultivation of bananas, dates, citrus fruit, and vegetables. The summers are hot, with temperatures averaging 88 °F (31 °C), and the precipitation—almost 15 inches (380 mm) at Deganya—falls, in the course of a winter of less than 50 days, in the form of brief but violent showers. The Sea of Galilee is fed primarily by the Jordan River. Other streams and wadis (seasonal watercourses) flow into the lake from the hills of Galilee. In the rivers associated with the lake and at the bottom of the lake itself are many mineral deposits. Because of those deposits and because of the strong evaporation, the lake’s waters are relatively salty. Ringling Bros. Folds Its Tent Because of a pleasant climate, level topography , fertile soil, and relatively abundant water, the rivers flowing into the lake and the adjacent plains have throughout history been the source of livelihood for various peoples.

At El-ʿUbeidīya, 2 miles (3 km) south of the lake, lacustrine formations dating from about 400,000 to 500,000 years ago have revealed prehistoric tools and two human fragments, which are among the oldest in the Middle East . Canaanite (ancient Palestinian) structures have been uncovered that date to between 1000 and 2000 bce. Kefar Naḥum (Capernaum), Israel, along the Sea of Galilee. © Eli Mordechai/Shutterstock.com In the 1st century ce the region was rich and populated. The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus wrote of nine cities on the shores of the lake in ancient times, but of those only Tiberias has survived. Tiberias, on the western shore, was one of the four Jewish holy cities, and Kefar Naḥum (ancient Capernaum ), near the northwestern shore, has preserved one of the most beautiful synagogues of the Galilee region, dating from the 2nd and 3rd centuries ce.

A sanctuary for the Druze (an independent sect founded in the 11th century with a creed containing elements of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity) is located near Kefar Ḥittim near the western shore. The Sea of Galilee is especially well known to Christians because it was the scene of many episodes in the life of Jesus Christ , including his Sermon on the Mount , at which he first gave the blessings of the Beatitudes and first taught the Lord’s Prayer . The region was also the site of the first Jewish kibbutz , Deganya , established in 1909. Church of the Beatitudes on the northern coast of the Sea of Galilee, Israel, built on the … Bantosh For the past few centuries the Plain of Gennesaret, to the northwest, and the area around Deganya, to the south, have been systematically developed through irrigation and intensive agricultural techniques. Fishing has also been developed, notably from Tiberias and Gennesaret and at En Gev, on the eastern shore.

Significant catches of fish are netted annually from motorboats and trawlers; sardines are mainly caught in winter, though, together with larger fish, they are also caught at other seasons. Thermal springs have enabled modern health resorts to be created, and the baths at Tiberias are among Israel’s most important winter resort attractions. Similar baths are to be found at Tabigha, or ʿEn Shevaʿ (the seven springs of Bathsheba), on the northwest shore. Connect with Britannica Sea of Galilee - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up) Located in northern Israel, the Sea of Galilee is really a lake. It is pear-shaped, 13 miles (21 kilometers) from north to south, and 7 miles (11 kilometers) east to west. Situated 686 feet (209 meters) below the level of the Mediterranean Sea, its surface area is 64 square miles (166 square kilometers), and the maximum depth is 157 feet (48 meters). The Jordan River flows into the Sea of Galilee from Syria and continues south out of it.

The lake would be an inconsequential one but for two reasons: powerful historical associations and current economic value. Article History Map of Ancient Israel - Tiberias - Bible History Online Tiberias G5 on the Map. Tiberias in Smiths Bible Dictionary. Tiberias in Smith's bible Dictionary. A city in the time of Christ, on the Sea of Galilee; first mentioned in the New Testament, Joh 6:1,23; 21:1 and then by Josephus, who states that it was built by Herod Antipas, and was named by him in honor of the emperor Tiberius. Tiberias was the capital of Galilee from the time of its origin until the reign of Herod Agrippa II., who changed the seat of power back again to Sepphoris, where it had been before the founding of the new city. Many of the inhabitants were Greeks and Romans, and foreign customs prevailed there: to such an extent as to give offence to the stricter Jews. It is remarkable that the Gospels give us no information that the Saviour who spent so much of his public life in Galilee, ever visited Tiberias.

The place is only mentioned in the New Testament in Joh 6:23 History. --Tiberias has an interesting history apart from its strictly biblical associations. It bore a conspicuous part in the wars between the Jews and the Romans. The Sanhedrin, subsequent to the fall of Jerusalem, after a temporary sojourn at Jamnia and Sepphoris, became fixed there about the middle of the second century. Celebrated schools of Jewish learning flourished there through a succession of several centuries. The Mishna was compiled at this place by the great Rabbi Judah Hakkodesh, A.D. 190. The city has been possessed successively by Romans, Persians Arabs and Turks. It contains now, under the Turkish rule, a mixed population of Mohammedans, Jews and Christian, variously estimated at from two to four thousand. Present city. --The ancient name has survived in that of the modern Tubarieh, which occupies the original site. Near Tubarieh, about a mile farther south along the shore, are the celebrated warm baths, which the Roman naturalists reckoned among the greatest known curiosities of the world. Tiberias is described by Dr.

Thomson as "a filthy place, fearfully hot in summer." It was nearly destroyed in 1837 by an earthquake, by which 800 persons lost their lives. Kinneret, Lake KINNERET, LAKE KINNERET, LAKE (Heb. יָם כִּנְרֶת, Yam Kinneret, or םָי כִּנְרוֹת, Yam Kinnerot), freshwater lake in N.E. Israel. The Jordan enters it from the north and flows out from the south. Several names have been applied to the lake in the past, including "Sea of Chinneroth" or "Chinnereth" (Josh. 13:27; 12:3), "Water of Gennesar" ( I Macc. 11:67), and "Lake of Gennesareth" (Jos., Wars, 3:506), while in the New Testament it is called "the Sea of Galilee" or simply "the Sea" (Matt.

4:18; 17:27; John 6:1; etc.), and sometimes "the sea of Gennesareth" or "the sea of Tiberias" (Luke 5:1; John 6:1; 21:1). In talmudic sources it is usually called yammah shel Teveryah ("sea of Tiberias," Tosef. Suk. 3:9, etc.). The Arabs also called it Baḥr al-Ṭabariya. In Israel the biblical name Yam Kinneret has been revived. Physical Data The lake occupies a section of the central Jordan Rift Valley. It covers an area of 64 sq. mi. (165 sq. km.). The level of the water surface, which varies considerably with the shift from rainy to drought years, averages 696 ft. (213 m.) below Mediterranean sea level. The water is deepest, 144 ft. (44 m.) on the average, northeast of the lake's center. The region of Lake Kinneret has a seismic character, borne out by hot mineral springs on its bottom and on its circumference.

The lake was created in its present form when, in the recent geologic past, its bottom subsided more strongly than the area south of it, where diagonally posed young rock strata testify to an uplift which created a sill preventing the drainage of Jordan and other waters coming in from the north. Whereas the lake is thought to have originally been more or less rectangular, streams entering it, in addition to the Jordan itself, deposited alluvial material thus creating the Ginnesar Valley in the northwest and the Bethsaida (Buṭayḥa) Valley in the northeast and rounding off the north shore. At the same time, erosion at the Jordan's outflow in the south contributed to give the lake its present pear-like shape, with a north-south length of 15 mi. (23 km.) and a maximum east-west width of 10 mi. (16 km.). Alluvium deposited by the Yarmuk River in the south blocked the inflow of this watercourse into the lake and displaced the Jordan outflow to the southwest corner of the lake.

Although the waters entering the lake are fresh, brackish springs at the lake bottom and near its shore raise its water salinity; strong evaporation in the region's hot climate further increases the water's salt content. Measurements taken in the 1950s and 1960s show oscillations in salinity ranging from 250 to 400 mm/liter chlorine content, again to be attributed to the varying amount of water entering the lake; the more water fills the lake, the better the saline bottom springs are plugged by its weight, causing a further reduction in salinity. History Owing to its abundant water supply, warm climate, the fertile land in its vicinity, and the numerous fish in the lake, Lake Kinneret has attracted man since prehistoric times; in fact, the most ancient human remains and artifacts found in Ereẓ Israel come from ʿUbaydiyya not far from its shores. In Neolithic times the inhabitants of the Yarmuk valley adjoining the lake engaged in agricultural activities ("hoe" agriculture).

In the Early Bronze Age some of the largest cities in Canaan were founded there, in particular, *Bet Yeraḥ, a site of some 60 acres (250 dunams). The Via Maris (Maritime Route) which passed its shores contributed to the wealth of the riparian cities. Egyptian documents (Papyrus Anastasi I ) mention the hot springs on its shores and their beneficent effects. In the Bible, Kinneret serves as a prominent boundary mark: it was the border of Sihon king of the Amorites (Deut. 3:17); its western shores were in the possession of Naphtali, whose cities of Hammath, Rakkath, and *Chinnereth were situated along its banks; most of the eastern shore belonged to Manasseh, and the tribe of Gad extended up to its southern end (Josh. 12:3; 13:27). In the time of David, Geshur held part of its northeastern coastline, and after the division of the monarchy the kings of Israel had to engage in combat with Aram for control of its eastern shore; in this the Omrid dynasty was most successful. In 732 B.C.E.

Sea of Galilee Sea of Galilee Sea of Galilee ​ The most famous lake in the world is also known as Lake Tiberias or, more frequently, the Kinneret. The Sea of Galilee played an important role during the ministry of Jesus and has now become a popular site for many Christians. According to Christian belief, Jesus lived, preached, and performed miracles in the Galilee region. It was here that He walked on the water, multiplied the loaves and the fishes, and calmed the stormy waters and much more. On this Page: Accommodations » The most famous lake in the world is also known as Lake Tiberias or, more frequently, the Kinneret. The Sea of Galilee played an important role during the ministry of Jesus and has now become a popular site for many Christians. According to Christian belief, Jesus lived, preached, and performed miracles in the Galilee region. It was here that He walked on the water, multiplied the loaves and the fishes, and calmed the stormy waters and much more.

“After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias).” John 6:1 “After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He manifested Himself in this way.” John 21:1 The Sea of Galilee is Israel’s largest fresh water reservoir, and is also the country’s largest and most important source of drinking water. The beaches that surround the lake vary in keeping with the local geography, creating different landscapes in every location. Above the eastern and western shores, for example, rise the Galilee mountain range and the foothills of the Golan. To the north there is the Bethsaida valley, a wide area with plentiful water that drains from the Jordan River and the Golan streams. To the south is the Jordan River, which flows south toward the desert regions. There are many biblical sites around the Sea of Galilee, including the Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha, Chorazim, Capernaum, and Kursi. A recently discover ancient wooden boat from the time of Jesus is on display at the Galilee Boat Museum.

Tiberias Tiberias Tiberias is a lively tourist city on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, offering a variety of attractions and activities for every age. ​ On this Page: Accommodations » Tiberias (Tverya) is synonymous with vacations in Israel. Here one can enjoy a variety of activities in a city that offers wonderful opportunities to mix relaxation with nature, history with contemporary attractions, serene quiet with active water sports, and pilgrimage sites with unique tourist attractions. Located on the shores of Lake Kineret , Tiberias is Israel's lowest city at 200 meters below sea level, and it attracts thousands of tourists and travelers. Visitors discover a lively tourist city offering a variety of attractions and activities for every age. The city has 30 hotels including luxury hotels alongside bed and breakfasts and youth hostels. Most hotels are located on the beach and offer vacationers a real treat. Expansive lawns, a water park for the whole family, restaurants and bars, and extreme water sports are just a sampling of guest offerings. There is also a variety of hotels in Tiberias's Old City near the lake and marina.

The marina offers boat rides on Lake Kineret as well as the enjoyable sunsets. The romantic promenade sprawls along the lakeside near the marina including many cafes and restaurants that specialize in freshwater fish straight from the lake. From the Old City and the promenade, the central boardwalk stretches up to downtown. This is a lively commercial center teeming with varied restaurants, cafes, overflowing pubs, ice cream parlors and souvenir shops. In the summer, the area is particularly crowded and bazaars are accompanied by contemporary music. Near the boardwalk, colorful horse-drawn carriages offer visitors a slightly different tour of the town. On the other side of the boardwalk is Tiberias's famed fish market. The fishing industry is highly developed and dozens of fishing boats head onto the lake every morning, returning brimming with fresh fish for sale at the local market. Close to the market is a popular falafel complex that attracts thousands of hungry visitors seeking the hot, fresh, tasty morsels. Falafel stand owners will be happy to offer taste tests in the hopes you choose their wares for your lunch.

Across from the falafel stands is a large municipal auditorium in which events, celebrations and concerts are open to the public. Tiberias also offers the Dona Gracia Museum, which tells the story of Gracia Nasi who used her considerable wealth to save many Jewish refugees of the Spanish Inquisition and build a Jewish city in Tiberias. The castle is a museum, divided into halls that tell her story and that of the period through rich visuals, scenery and the sounds of the Renaissance, which offer a royal experience. South of the Old City is Hamat Tiberias National Park , which includes seventeen hot springs whose 60-degree Celsius waters are infused with approximately 100 minerals with unique therapeutic qualities that can be found only here. The site's healing capabilities have been known for 2,000 years and the baths have attracted people since time immemorial. The waters from the springs feed the renowned Tiberias Springs spa. The spa offers several thermo-mineral pools, luxurious body treatments and unique health treatments as well as the quiet atmosphere and the beautiful view of Lake Kineret. The Kineret has attracted people for thousands of years, offering both a source of water and a livelihood.

History has rendered both the Kineret area and Tiberias itself important to both Christians and Jews. Herod Antipas founded the city in 17-22 C.E., naming it after his patron, the Roman Emperor Tiberius. In the second through tenth centuries, Tiberias was the largest Jewish city in the Galilee , the Jewish people's political and religious hub, as well as the center of Jewish spiritual creativity. A few years after its establishment, around 30 C.E., Jesus Christ moved his base of activities to the northern shore of Lake Kineret, where several well-known miracles took place including walking on the waters of the lake. As Christianity took hold, many churches were built in Tiberias and its surroundings. Tiberias has been continuously inhabited and various buildings and ruins from various periods are well-preserved. In the Old City, built during the Crusades and the Ottoman Empire, a number of early sites are visible, including Daher El-Amar's 18th century fortress, a Jewish ritual bath, the black basalt remnants of the city wall, and the Church of St. Peter .

Today's church was constructed on the ruins of a Crusader church that had one nave and narrow windows similar to portholes representative of the hull of an overturned boat. The modern church centers on artwork symbolizing the four Gospels under an inscription of Jesus's words to Peter "Be shepherd of my flock.” The stained glass windows depict fish and holy figures, while the rear courtyard houses a copy of a statue of Peter brought to Tiberias from Rome in 1833. Many churches were also built outside the walls of the Old City. Concerts are occasionally held in the modest basalt Church of Scotland, founded by Dr. David Watt Torrance – also the founder of Tiberias's first hospital, or in its lush gardens on the shore. Across the way is the Scots Hotel, serving Christian pilgrims visiting the area. At the southern end of the promenade is a Greek Orthodox Church and monastery, including three houses of prayer and a wall of religious icons. The nearby Mount Berenice offers not only a spectacular view, but the impressive ruins of Anchor Church – named for the heavy anchor found at the center of the stone altar. No less famous, is the Mount of Beatitudes , where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount.

Here Jesus named his twelve apostles. North of Tiberias, close to Lake Kineret, is the YMCA facility including a small church with a panoramic view of Lake Kineret. YMCA also offers an enchanting private beach and guest rooms. South of Tiberias is Yardenit , the site traditionally recognized by Christianity as the place Jesus was baptized. The site attracts thousands of believers who dip in the waters. Alongside the Christian holy sites, Tiberias is dotted with the burial sites of Jewish sages, making it one of Israel's holy cities. Pilgrims flock to the tombs of Rabbi Akiva , Rabbi Yochanan Ben-Zakai, Rabbi Meir Baal HaNess , and the tomb of the great philosopher and sage Maimonides . Many come to his grave to pray for livelihood, a partner and even fertility. Tiberias is attractive all around the year, with natural beauty, pastoral beaches and a variety of activities in the city and its surroundings.

Tiberias | Define Tiberias at Dictionary.com Tiberias [tahy-beer-ee-uh s] /taɪˈbɪər i əs/ Spell Examples from the Web for Tiberias Expand Historical Examples The white domes in Tiberias were shining in the sun, and many of the Galilean towns, including Safed, could be distinguished. The Innocents Abroad Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) His mortal remains were moved to Tiberias, and a legend reports that Bedouins attacked the funeral train. The Innocents Abroad Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) The Lake of Tiberias is 682 feet below the level of the sea. Ulric the Jarl William O. Stoddard Saladin encamped near Tiberias, and extended his ravages into almost every part of Palestine. The Knights Templars C. G. (Charles Greenstreet) Addison The Romans are warriors, but the rabble of Tiberias are scorned even by the lepers. Ulric the Jarl William O. Stoddard British Dictionary definitions for Tiberias Expand noun 1.

a resort in N Israel, on the Sea of Galilee: an important Jewish centre after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans. Pop: 40 100 (2003 est) 2. Lake Tiberias, another name for the (Sea of) Galilee Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Tiberias in the Bible Expand a city, the modern Tubarich, on the western shore of the Sea of Tiberias. It is said to have been founded by Herod Antipas (A.D. 16), on the site of the ruins of an older city called Rakkath, and to have been thus named by him after the Emperor Tiberius. It is mentioned only three times in the history of our Lord (John 6:1,23; 21:1).

In 1837 about one-half of the inhabitants perished by an earthquake. The population of the city is now about six thousand, nearly the one-half being Jews. "We do not read that our Lord ever entered this city. The reason of this is probably to be found in the fact that it was practically a heathen city, though standing upon Jewish soil. Herod, its founder, had brought together the arts of Greece, the idolatry of Rome, and the gross lewdness of Asia. There were in it a theatre for the performance of comedies, a forum, a stadium, a palace roofed with gold in imitation of those in Italy, statues of the Roman gods, and busts of the deified emperors. He who was not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel might well hold himself aloof from such scenes as these" (Manning's Those Holy Fields). After the fall of Jerusalem (A.D. 70), Tiberias became one of the chief residences of the Jews in Palestine. It was for more than three hundred years their metropolis. From about A.D.

150 the Sanhedrin settled here, and established rabbinical schools, which rose to great celebrity. Here the Jerusalem (or Palestinian) Talmud was compiled about the beginning of the fifth century. To this same rabbinical school also we are indebted for the Masora, a "body of traditions which transmitted the readings of the Hebrew text of the Old Testament, and preserved, by means of the vowel-system, the pronunciation of the Hebrew." In its original form, and in all manuscripts, the Hebrew is written without vowels; hence, when it ceased to be a spoken language, the importance of knowing what vowels to insert between the consonants. This is supplied by the Masora, and hence these vowels are called the "Masoretic vowel-points." Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary Jesus and the Sea of Galilee Jesus and the Sea of Galilee Non-Technical - Mar 06, 2009 - by Todd Bolen Share/recommend this article: Excerpt According to the gospels, Jesus’ earthly ministry centered around the Sea of Galilee. While important events occurred in Jerusalem, the Lord spent most of the three years of His ministry along the shore of this freshwater lake.

Here He gave more than half of His parables and here He performed most of his miracles... Continue reading Explore Related Articles Greatest Fish Stories Ever Told As the calm waters reflected the slowly rising sun over the Sea of Galilee, a lonely figure walked f... Thinking Clearly About the "Jesus Family Tomb" According to James Tabor, after John was executed by Herod, Jesus went to Jerusalem and confronted t... Three Woes! The center of Jesus' Galilean ministry was an area now called the "evangelical triangle." At the poi... Tags Support Like this artice? Our Ministry relies on the generosity of people like you. Every small donation helps us develop and publish great articles. Please support ABR! This article was first published in the Fall 2003 issue of Bible and Spade. According to the gospels, Jesus’ earthly ministry centered around the Sea of Galilee. While important events occurred in Jerusalem, the Lord spent most of the three years of His ministry along the shore of this freshwater lake. Here He gave more than half of His parables and here He performed most of his miracles. Capernaum, on the northwestern shore, became Jesus’ “hometown” throughout His ministry.

Three of His disciples hailed from Bethsaida, a few miles distant from Capernaum. These two cities, together with Chorazin 3 km (2 mi) inland from Capernaum, were condemned by Jesus for receiving much but believing little. A famous follower of Christ was Mary of Magdala, a town on the lake’s western shore. Early Christians hallowed the lakeside, building churches commemorating the feeding of the five thousand, the Sermon on the Mount, the primacy of Peter, and the house of Peter. Tabgha shoreline from boat. Names Known in the Hebrew Bible as Chinnereth, Josephus used the Hellenized form of this name, Gennesar or Gennesaritis, most frequently in his writings. Luke uses this term, but the more common New Testament designation is the familiar “Sea of Galilee.” John twice refers to it as the “Sea of Tiberias.” Pliny notes that some called it Tarichaeae after the name of another town along its shore. Dimensions The Sea of Galilee is the lowest freshwater lake on earth at approximately 210 m (700 ft) below sea level.

At its widest points, the lake measures 21 km (13 mi) from north to south and 12 km (7.5 mi) from east to west. The lake’s total area is 170 sq km) (64 sq. mi) and its circumference is about 51 km (32 mi). Its deepest point has been variously estimated between 44 and 60 m (140-200 ft) and its capacity is approximately three billion cubic meters (one hundred billion cubic ft). Today Yam Kinneret, as Israelis know it, is the primary source of water for the nation and as such the government carefully regulates its outward flow to the Jordan River. The Degania dam was built in 1932 to control the water level and when the lake fills after good winter rainfalls, the Sea of Galilee is about 1 m (3.3 ft.) higher than it was in the time of Christ. This is apparent from the level of the harbors that have survived from the first century. Jordan River entering Sea of Galilee. The Jordan River is the main source of water for the lake, supplying about 75 percent of the lake’s annual intake.

Direct rainfall provides another 8 percent and the remainder comes from springs and wadis in the area. Numerous springs are located around the Sea of Galilee, particularly along the northwestern shore, but because of the higher salinity of these waters, today many of these springs are diverted to flow directly into the Jordan River south of the lake. Climate and Storm Patterns The climate around the Sea of Galilee is temperate year-round, largely owing to its elevation below sea level. The average mean temperature in August is 31°C (88° F) and January’s average mean temperature is a mild 14°C (57°F). The relative humidity averages 65 percent and the lake receives about 41 cm (16 in) of rain annually. Ancient Harbor at Tabgha The Sea of Galilee is known for its violent storms, which can come up suddenly and be life-threatening for any on its waters. These tempests are caused by the situation of the lake in the Jordan Rift with steep hills on all sides. The cooler air masses from the surrounding mountains collide with the warm air in the lake’s basin.

Winds sometimes funnel through the east-west-oriented valleys in the Galilean hill country and rush down the western hillsides of the lake. The most violent storms, however, are caused by the fierce winds which blow off the Golan Heights from the east. One such storm in March 1992 sent waves 3 m (10 ft) high crashing into downtown Tiberias and caused significant damage to the city. Harbors and Fishing Aside from a few natural inlets on the northern side, the Sea of Galilee does not have any natural harbors. The fishing industry that grew up around the lake as early as the Early Bronze Age (3300–2300 BC) resulted in the construction of artificial breakwaters. The first ancient harbor was discovered at Kursi in 1970 and since then 15 additional harbors have been identified. Most assume that these were in use during the flourishing first century AD and it is certain that Jesus and his disciples were familiar with many of them. The harbors that the disciples most likely would have frequented were those at Capernaum, Tabgha, Gennesar and Magdala.

The Capernaum harbor is particularly noteworthy as it extended for more than 800m (2500 ft) along the shore, a length greater than that of the city. The presence of numerous and large harbors attests to the commercial importance of the lake during Jesus’ life. (By contrast, today there are only five harbors on the lake and these are used primarily for boats for tourists.) Magdala apparently was the industrial center of the fishing trade, and fish to be exported were first salted here. Today 35 species of fish make their home in the waters of the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River, but three types seem to be most common in the New Testament record. The sardines were a staple of the locals’ diet and these were probably the “two small “fish” which Jesus used to feed the multitude. The musht fish has a long dorsal fin that resembles a comb and is today popularly known as “St. Peter’s fish.” This tasty fish could measure up to 0.5 m (18 in) and weigh 1.5 kg (3.3 lb). The third type is the catfish, which is not considered kosher because of its lack of scales.

These probably would have been brought to mind when Jesus referred to the bad fish that would be thrown away (Mt 13:48). The significance of the Sea of Galilee in Jesus’ ministry is indicated by the fact that some of the first and some of the last events in His ministry occurred here. Shortly after the temptation, Jesus traveled to Capernaum with His family (Jn 2:12). Later Jesus would live in Capernaum and call four of His disciples from among the fishermen in the area (Mt 4). While He performed many miracles at points along the lakeshore, two of His most dramatic miracles were done on the water itself when He stilled the storm (Lk 8:22–25) and walked on the water (Mk 6:47–52). Following His resurrection, Jesus cooked breakfast on the shore for seven of the disciples (Jn 21). The rabbis declared of the Sea of Galilee that, “Although God has created seven seas, yet He has chosen this one as His special delight.” Certainly Jesus must have felt the same way. Sunset over the Sea of Galilee.

All pictures taken by author Todd Bolen, Recommended Resources for Further Study Tiberias, Israel | Article about Tiberias, Israel by The Free Dictionary Tiberias, Israel | Article about Tiberias, Israel by The Free Dictionary Also found in: Dictionary , Wikipedia . Tiberias (tībēr`ēəs), town (1994 pop. 36,400), NE Israel, on the Sea of Galilee, 682 ft (208 m) below sea level. It is one of the four holy cities of Judaism and a trade center for agricultural settlements. A resort town, Tiberias has hotels, a hot springs spa, and a lake port. There are machine shops, fisheries, and textile factories. Named for Emperor Tiberius, the town was built (c.A.D. 20) by Herod Antipas; there are ruins of the baths he built. After the destruction of Jerusalem, Tiberias became (2d cent.) a center of Jewish learning; the Sanhedrin Sanhedrin , ancient Jewish legal and religious institution in Jerusalem that appears to have exercised the functions of a court between c.63 B.C. and c.A.D.

68. The accounts of it in the Mishna do not correspond to those in Josephus or in the New Testament. ..... Click the link for more information. convened in the town, and parts of the Mishna Mishna , in Judaism, codified collection of Oral Law—legal interpretations of portions of the biblical books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy and other legal material. Together with the Gemara, or Amoraic commentary on the Mishna, it comprises the Talmud. ..... Click the link for more information. and Jerusalem Talmud Talmud [Aramaic from Heb.,=learning], in Judaism, vast compilation of the Oral Law with rabbinical elucidations, elaborations, and commentaries, in contradistinction to the Scriptures or Written Laws. The Talmud is the accepted authority for Orthodox Jews everywhere. ..... Click the link for more information. were edited there. Tiberias was captured by the Arabs in 637, taken by the Crusaders in the 11th cent., recaptured by Saladin in 1187, and occupied by Egypt in 1247.

It became part of the Ottoman Empire Ottoman Empire , vast state founded in the late 13th cent. by Turkish tribes in Anatolia and ruled by the descendants of Osman I until its dissolution in 1918. Modern Turkey formed only part of the empire, but the terms "Turkey" and "Ottoman Empire" were often used ..... Click the link for more information. in the 16th cent. Rebuilt and fortified in the 18th cent. by Dahir al-Umar, the local Ottoman ruler, Tiberias resumed its position as a center of Jewish scholarship. In 1922 it became part of Palestine. Maimonides Maimonides or Moses ben Maimon , 1135–1204, Jewish scholar, physician, and philosopher, the most influential Jewish thinker of the Middle Ages, b. Córdoba, Spain, d. Cairo. ..... Click the link for more information. , the Jewish philosopher and physician, is buried in Tiberias. Arabic forms of the name are Tabariya and Tubariya. Tiberias 1.

a resort in N Israel, on the Sea of Galilee: an important Jewish centre after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans. Pop.: 40 100 (2003 est.) 2. Lake. another name for the (Sea of) Galilee Sea of Galilee (BiblePlaces.com) – BiblePlaces.com Sea of Galilee Southern Wildlife Sea of Galilee Also known as Bahr Tubariya, Ginnosar, Lake of Galilee, Lake of Gennesaret, Lake of Gennesar, Sea of Chinnereth, Sea of Chinneroth, Sea of Kinnereth, Sea of Tiberias, Lake of Tiberias, Waters of Gennesaret, Yam Kinneret Plain of Gennesaret The Plain of Gennesaret spreads out below the Arbel cliffs. About five miles long and two miles wide, this stretch of land alongside the Sea of Galilee’s northwest shore was renowned for its fertility. Josephus wrote that it was “wonderful in its characteristics and in its beauty.

Thanks to the rich soil there is not a plant that does not flourish there, and the inhabitants grow everything: the air is so temperate that it suits the most diverse species.” View from Northwest The Sea of Galilee is fed by the Jordan River, rainfall and springs on the northern side. More properly designated a lake, the Kinneret (the OT and modern name) is 13 miles long and 7 miles wide. At its deepest point the lake is only 150 feet deep. The rabbis said of it, “Although God has created seven seas, yet He has chosen this one as His special delight.” View from Arbel From the summit of Mount Arbel on the western side of the Sea of Galilee, one can see the entire lake, the city of Tiberias, the mountains of Galilee, and the Golan Heights. On a clear day, Mount Hermon is visible. Hippos and Harbors Hippos (Susita) was a major city of the Decapolis located on a round hill overlooking the shore. The modern harbor of Kibbutz En Gev is visible below it. In the first century, at least 16 harbors were located on the lake.

All the lake’s settlements had their own harbor, even if it was very small. The largest one belonged to Gadara had a 200 meter breakwater. Wooden Boat Reconstruction In 1986 a wooden vessel from the first century was discovered near Nof Ginosar on the lake’s northwestern shore. Studies have determined the type of wood that was used (mainly cedar and oak), the style of construction (mortise and tenon joints), the date (on the basis of construction techniques, pottery and Carbon 14 tests) and the size (26 by 7 feet – big enough for 15 men). Pictured at right is a reconstruction of what the ancient boat might have looked like. This was formerly on display at Kibbutz En Gev. St. Peter's Fish Three types of fish were primarily sought by fishermen in antiquity in these waters. Sardines likely were the “two small fish” that the boy brought to the feeding of the 5000. Sardines and bread were the staple product of the locals. Barbels are so known because of the barbs at the corners of their mouths.

The third type is called musht but is more popularly known today as “St. Peter’s Fish.” This fish has a long dorsal fin which looks like a comb and can be up to 1.5 feet long and 3.3 lbs in weight. Sunset The peaceful calm of the Sea of Galilee can quickly become transformed by a violent storm. Winds funnel through the east-west aligned Galilee hill country and stir up the waters quickly. More violent are the winds that come off the hills of the Golan Heights to the east. Trapped in the basin, the winds can be deadly to fishermen. A storm in March 1992 sent waves 10 feet high crashing into downtown Tiberias and causing significant damage. Order These Photos on the DVD Set Galilee and the North Tiberias | Virtual Israel Experience Virtual Israel Experience Sites of Christian Pilgrimage Tiberias has been a popular destination for tourists for more than 2,000 years. As early as Roman times, this thriving recreation spa, built around 17 natural mineral hot springs more than 600 feet below sea level, welcomed visitors from every part of the ancient world.

Built by Herod Antipas (one of Herod the Great's three sons who divided up Palestine after their father's death), the city was named Tiberias in honor of the Roman Emperor Tiberius. History Tiberias plays an important role in Jewish history. It was part of the land bequeathed to Naphtali (Joshua 19:35). The Sanhedrin (the High Court of Israel during the period of the Second Temple ) relocated to Tiberias from Sepphoris . In the Mishnaic and Talmudic period, Tiberias was an important spiritual center. The Mishna was completed in Tiberias in 200 C.E. under the supervision of Rabbi Yehuda Ha-Nasi ("Judah the Prince"). The Jerusalem Talmud was compiled in 400 C.E. After his death in 1204, the great Jewish sage Maimonides was buried in Tiberias. His tomb is on Ben Zakkai Street, a short distance from the town center. The street's namesake, Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai , is also believed to be buried nearby. Yet another shrine is the Tomb of Rabbi Akiva .

A Samaritan center existed in Tiberias in the middle of the 4th century. The Crusaders later captured the city and made it the capital of the Galilee, but Saladin retook the city for the Muslim Empire in 1187. The city suffered a decline until it was revived by the Ottoman Turks . After the city was built up over a period of about a century, it was devastated by an earthquake in 1837. The early Zionist pioneers established some of Israel's first kibbutzim at the turn of the century in this area. After the establishment of the state , newcomers flocked to the city and the population quadrupled. Today, it is home to about 30,000 people. The Sea of Galilee Tiberias sits along the 32-mile shoreline of the Sea of Galilee . The Sea lies roughly 650 feet below sea level and is 14 miles long and 7 1/2 miles wide at its widest point. The Sea is the major source of fresh water for the entire country. The Sea, really a lake, lies on the ancient "Via Maris," a route that linked Egypt and Mesopotamia.

The New Testament contains several references to the lake, which is known alternatively as the Sea of Galilee, Sea of Tiberias and the Sea of Gennesaret. This is where Jesus calmed the stormy sea ( Mathew 8) and walked on the water ( Mathew 14). Israel Fact The Sea of Galilee is shaped like a harp, kinnor in Hebrew, but this is not where the name of the lake comes from. Israelis call the Sea by the biblical name Kinneret. This was the name of a city on the northwestern edge of the lake during the Canaanite and Israelite periods. The reference to the Sea of Tiberias is attributable to the newer riparian city. Beyond the Sea Just outside of Tiberias is the ancient town of Hammat, which boasts the hottest (140Âº) mineral springs in Israel and has, not surprisingly, become a popular spa. The town also has a synagogue built in 341, that has a magnificent mosaic floor. It is unusual, in part, because it contains human figures that are nude. This is rare because synagogues rarely have human representations in them and, when they do, they are fully clothed.

On the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, you'll find the ancient fishing village of Bethsaida , the traditional home of Jesus' apostles Peter and Andrew. In this area, the Jordan River and several streams from the Golan Heights form a marshy delta that is home to a large variety of animals and birds, especially water-fowl. The âJesus Boatâ ( Ministry of Foreign Affairs ) About six miles north of Tiberias, you can visit Kibbutz Ginosar, the former home of one of Israel's great statesmen, Yigal Allon . The kibbutz has a museum devoted to Allon's life and the history of the Galilee region. It also houses the so-called âJesus boat,â a 2,000-year-old boat excavated from the Kinneret in 1985 that was probably used at the time of Jesus. At the southern tip of the sea is Degania Aleph, Israel's oldest kibbutz , founded in 1909, and its nearby twin Degania Bet (built in 1920). Degania Aleph was named after its spiritual father, A.D.

Gordon , and later was the birthplace of Moshe Dayan . Israeli Prime Minister Levi Eshkol came from Degania Bet. When the Arab armies invaded Israel from the north in 1948, they ran over the settlements farther north in the Golan, but were stopped by the defenders of Degania Aleph. A French-made Syrian tank was left at the gate as a memorial to the battle. At the opposite bank of the sea, is the country's second agricultural commune, Kibbutz Kinneret, which was established in 1911. Nearby is a cemetery, Ohalo, which not only is the final resting place for many of the people from the kibbutz, but also some of Israel's most famous personalities, including Rahel Bluwstein (known simply as Rachel to most Israelis), Ber Borochov and Moses Hess . Sites of Christian Pilgrimage Two miles north of Tiberias is the agricultural settlement of Migdal . This is near the ancient town where Mary Magdalene was born.

Further north is the town of Tabgha , one of many sites in the Galilee where Christians of the early Byzantine period built monasteries, churches and shrines to commemorate the ministry of Jesus and the miracles ascribed to him. Tabgha is the traditional site of the Miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fishes . ( Matt . 14: 13-21). Nearby is the Mount of the Beatitudes. An Italian convent now stands on the hill. This is where Jesus is thought to have preached the Sermon on the Mount, which begins: And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ( Matthew 5) Standing on the church porch overlooking the Sea and the surrounding hills makes for a powerful setting to recall the sermon. Greek Orthodox Church of the Seven Apostles ( Ministry of Foreign Affairs ) About two miles south is Capernaum (Kfar Nahum), the lakeside town where Jesus preached, and his disciples, Peter and Andrew lived.

This is where Jesus told his followers, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." He spent three years based here and performed many miracles, but was rejected by the townspeople, provoking Jesus to curse them, "And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto Heaven, shall be brought down to hell!" The synagogue may be on the site where Jesus preached, but was built two or three centuries later. We know it is a synagogue because of the Jewish symbols -- a menorah and a shofar -- inscribed on one of the columns. The Jordan River also passes near Kibbutz Kinneret. Perhaps you have an image of the Jordan as a mighty body of water like the Mississippi, an understandable expectation given its role in history and scripture. In fact, it is more like a muddy stream that is only a few feet wide in places. Since Jesus was baptized by John in the river (near Jericho), it has become traditional for Christian pilgrims to come to a special park along the river established as a baptism site.

Question: What is the more familiar Biblical name for Lake Tiberias in Israel ?
Answer: SEA OF GALILEE