Region in northern Israel; key location in Jesus' ministry
Galilee
Named in 72 verses across 10 books, first in Joshua 12:23.
גָּלִילGalilee
גִּלְגָּלGalilee
ΓαλιλαίαGalilee
ΓαλιλαίαJudea
ΓαλιλαῖοςGalilean
Also called Judea, Galilean.
The name means “wheel; revolution.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About Galilee Written by AI
Galilee is a region located in northern Israel, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the west, the Jordan River and the Sea of Galilee to the east, and the Jezreel Valley to the south. In the Old Testament, Galilee is mentioned as part of the tribal allotments of Naphtali (Joshua 20:7) and Zebulun (Joshua 21:32), and as a region that Solomon gave to Hiram, king of Tyre (1Ki.9.11). In the New Testament, Galilee plays a significant role in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Jesus grew up in Nazareth, a town in Galilee (Luke 2:39), and began his public ministry in the region after being baptized by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:13; Mrk.1.9). Many of Jesus' disciples, including Peter, Andrew, James, and John, were from Galilee (Act.1.11). Throughout the Gospels, Jesus is recorded as traveling and teaching extensively in Galilee, performing miracles and drawing large crowds (Matthew 4:23-25; Mrk.1.28, 39; Luke 4:14, 44). Notable events in Galilee include the wedding at Cana (Jhn.2.1-11), the healing of the centurion's servant (Luke 7:1-10), and the feeding of the five thousand (Luke 9:10-17). Galilee was also the location of Jesus' post-resurrection appearances to his disciples (Matthew 28:7, 10, 16; Jhn.21.1-14). After Jesus' ascension, the early church spread throughout Galilee, Judea, and Samaria (Act.9.31). In addition to its religious significance, Galilee was known for its agricultural fertility and was an important center of trade and commerce. The region was inhabited by a mix of Jews and Gentiles, and was known for its distinct accent and dialect (Matthew 26:69; Mrk.14.70; Luke 22:59). The Bible also mentions several political and social events connected to Galilee, such as the census during the time of Jesus' birth (Luke 2:1-4), the rule of Herod Antipas as tetrarch of Galilee (Luke 3:1), and the Galileans whose blood Pilate mixed with their sacrifices (Luke 13:1-2).
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
Circuit. Solomon rewarded Hiram for certain services rendered him by the gift of an upland plain among the mountains of Naphtali. Hiram was dissatisfied with the gift, and called it “the land of Cabul” (q.v.). The Jews called it Galil. It continued long to be occupied by the original inhabitants, and hence came to be called “Galilee of the Gentiles” (Matt. 4:15), and also “Upper Galilee,” to distinguish it from the extensive addition afterwards made to it toward the south, which was usually called “Lower Galilee.” In the time of our Lord, Galilee embraced more than one-third of Western Palestine, extending “from Dan on the north, at the base of Mount Hermon, to the ridges of Carmel and Gilboa on the south, and from the Jordan valley on the east away across the splendid plains of Jezreel and Acre to the shores of the Mediterranean on the west.” Palestine was divided into three provinces, Judea, Samaria, and Galilee, which comprehended the whole northern section of the country (Acts 9:31), and was the largest of the three.
It was the scene of some of the most memorable events of Jewish history. Galilee also was the home of our Lord during at least thirty years of his life. The first three Gospels are chiefly taken up with our Lord’s public ministry in this province. “The entire province is encircled with a halo of holy associations connected with the life, works, and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.” “It is noteworthy that of his thirty-two beautiful parables, no less than ninteen were spoken in Galilee. And it is no less remarkable that of his entire thirty-three great miracles, twenty-five were wrought in this province. His first miracle was wrought at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, and his last, after his resurrection, on the shore of Galilee’s sea. In Galilee our Lord delivered the Sermon on The Mount, and the discourses on ‘The Bread of Life,’ on ‘Purity,’ on ’Forgiveness,’ and on ‘Humility.’ In Galilee he called his first disciples; and there occurred the sublime scene of the Transfiguration” (Porter’s Through Samaria).
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When the Sanhedrin were about to proceed with some plan for the condemnation of our Lord (John 7:45-52), Nicodemus interposed in his behalf. (Comp. Deut. 1:16,17; 17:8.) They replied, “Art thou also of Galilee?.... Out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.” This saying of theirs was “not historically true, for two prophets at least had arisen from Galilee, Jonah of Gath-hepher, and the greatest of all the prophets, Elijah of Thisbe, and perhaps also Nahum and Hosea. Their contempt for Galilee made them lose sight of historical accuracy” (Alford, Com.).
The Galilean accent differed from that of Jerusalem in being broader and more guttural (Mark 14:70).
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
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Where the Bible names it
- Joshua 12:23
the king of Dor in Naphath-dor, one; the king of Goiim in Gilgal, one;
- Joshua 20:7
So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah.
- Joshua 21:32
And from the tribe of Naphtali they were given Kedesh in Galilee (a city of refuge for the manslayer), Hammoth-dor, and Kartan—three cities, together with their pasturelands.
- 1 Kings 9:11
King Solomon gave twenty towns in the land of Galilee to Hiram king of Tyre, who had supplied him with cedar and cypress logs and gold for his every desire.
- 2 Kings 15:29
In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, including all the land of Naphtali, and he took the people as captives to Assyria.
- 1 Chronicles 6:76
And from the tribe of Naphtali they were given Kedesh in Galilee, Hammon, and Kiriathaim, together with their pasturelands.
- Isaiah 9:1
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations:
- Matthew 2:22
But when he learned that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee,
- Matthew 3:13
At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
- Matthew 4:12
When Jesus heard that John had been imprisoned, He withdrew to Galilee.
- Matthew 4:15
“Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
- Matthew 4:23
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
- Matthew 4:25
Large crowds followed Him, having come from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.
- Matthew 17:22
When they gathered together in Galilee, Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.
- Matthew 19:1
When Jesus had finished saying these things, He left Galilee and went into the region of Judea beyond the Jordan.
- Matthew 21:11
The crowds replied, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
- Matthew 26:32
But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
- Matthew 26:69
Meanwhile, Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came up to him. “You also were with Jesus the Galilean,” she said.
- Matthew 27:55
And many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to minister to Him.
- Matthew 28:7
Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’ See, I have told you.”
- Matthew 28:10
“Do not be afraid,” said Jesus. “Go and tell My brothers to go to Galilee. There they will see Me.”
- Matthew 28:16
Meanwhile, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain Jesus had designated.
- Mark 1:9
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
- Mark 1:14
After the arrest of John, Jesus went into Galilee and proclaimed the gospel of God.
- Mark 1:28
And the news about Jesus spread quickly through the whole region of Galilee.
- Mark 1:39
So He went throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
- Mark 3:7
So Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea, accompanied by a large crowd from Galilee, Judea,
- Mark 6:21
On Herod’s birthday, her opportunity arose. Herod held a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.
- Mark 9:30
Going on from there, they passed through Galilee. But Jesus did not want anyone to know,
- Mark 14:28
But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
- Mark 14:70
But he denied it again. After a little while, those standing nearby said once more to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you too are a Galilean.”
- Mark 15:41
These women had followed Jesus and ministered to Him while He was in Galilee, and there were many other women who had come up to Jerusalem with Him.
- Mark 16:7
But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you.’”
- Luke 1:26
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,
- Luke 2:4
So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David.
- Luke 2:39
When Jesus’ parents had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
- Luke 3:1
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,
- Luke 4:14
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and the news about Him spread throughout the surrounding region.
- Luke 4:31
Then He went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath He began to teach the people.
- Luke 4:44
And He continued to preach in the synagogues of Judea.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.