21st July 2025
Bible geography
For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding…
Proverbs 2:6 (NKJV)
We live in a war torn and violent world with one of the worst conflicts being in the Middle East, particularly around Israel and Gaza. As you see the pictures on TV, do you have an understanding of where the towns, the rivers, seas, and mountains are in the Middle East?
There is value in knowing something of the geography of Israel and the countries that border it, along with their history, so that we don’t have to search for places like Gaza, Jerusalem, Damascus, Nazareth or the Sea of Galilee when they are mentioned. Yes, you can easily find a map of the Middle East showing these places – but read on please.
As I read the Bible, I wanted a better understanding of where all these places are, so I have begun to create my own map, drawn to scale. It started with a few main locations, like Jerusalem, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, the River Jordan and the Dead Sea, and it is being built up over time as new places are highlighted in the Bible narrative. It’s important to get a feel for the places we read or hear about in the Bible or elsewhere.
I have found there is lots to learn, bearing in mind the names and boundaries of the countries we read about in the Bible are often very different from the countries we know today. One writer suggests that the modern state of Israel is the size of Wales. From the extreme North to the South is about 290 miles, whereas East to West ranges from about 9 miles to 85 miles. Nazareth to Jerusalem is about 64 miles.
What about The Sea of Galilee, the River Jordan and the Dead Sea? How wide, long, or deep are they? The Dead Sea is about 31 miles long and there are no fish in it. Some say it was the site of Sodom and Gomorra.
Where are the various places that Jesus visited? Where are other countries in relation to Israel, such as Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Egypt? Where was Ammon, Moab, Babylon and Assyria in relation to Jerusalem?
We don’t need to know every place but we can start our own map, drawn to scale and add information gradually. Once done it may enhance our study by bringing biblical accounts to life.
Become familiar with Israel and the Middle East. It’s worth doing, after all that’s where Jesus lived and will be returning.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, the God of all knowledge and wisdom, thank you that we have the ability to be taught and to learn and grow. Give us an understanding of how you have worked with the nations of the earth, and accept our thanks that we know that Jesus, our Saviour, is Lord of all nations, and will return to rule in love. In His name, Amen.
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Study by: Michael Burrows About the author: |
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