BIBLE HISTORY DAILY

What Is the Galilee?

The biblical region that shaped two faiths

A boat sailing on the Sea of Galilee. Courtesy Nathan Steinmeyer, BAS.

The Galilee is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable regions of the Holy Land, especially for readers of the Gospels. Yet, the Galilee played a significant role in more than just Jesus’s ministry. It was also a core region of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and an important center for Jewish life following the destruction of the Second Temple. Today, the region’s many biblical sites make it a prominent pilgrimage destination.

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Defining the Galilee

Although the biblical boundaries of the Galilee are somewhat vague, roughly corresponding to the tribes of Naphtali and Dan, geographically it can be viewed as the region north of the Jezreel Valley, between the coastal plain on the west and the heights of the Golan on the east. A hilly and rocky area, the Galilee encompasses several major ridges and mountains, including the Mt. of Beatitudes and Mt Tabor. Of course, it also features the famous Sea of Galilee, also known as Lake Tiberias. With high rainfall and mild winter temperatures, the region is one of the most ecologically diverse in the Holy Land, boasting numerous forests, lush fields, and an abundance of animal life. The Galilee can be divided into several subregions, including the Upper and Lower Galilee, as well as the Hula Valley. Of these, the Upper Galilee is the more mountainous and historically includes sections of modern southern Lebanon.

Green fields in the Galilee, near Tiberias. Courtesy Nathan Steinmeyer, BAS.

The Galilee is mentioned several times in the Hebrew Bible as “Galilee of the Nations” (Isaiah 9:1), with the Hebrew word galil (“district”) likely referring to the diverse people groups who inhabited the region throughout biblical history.

During the Iron Age II (1000–586 BCE), the Galilee was part of the Kingdom of Israel until the Assyrian Empire conquered it in the late eighth century. At that time, much of the population was deported and replaced with new inhabitants from other lands that had been conquered by the Assyrians. During the Hellenistic period (c. 332–37 BCE), the region became a major battleground and a key area of settlement for the Hasmonean kings as they expanded their territory. By the time of Jesus, the Galilee was home to numerous small Jewish villages, including Nazareth in south-central Galilee, as well as the towns of Capernaum, Bethsaida, and Chorazin, among others, situated around the Sea of Galilee. As recorded in the Gospels, the Galilee was one of the central locations of Jesus’s ministry.

Looking out over the hills leading down to the Sea of Galilee. Courtesy Nathan Steinmeyer, BAS.

During the First Jewish Revolt (c. 66–73 CE), the region joined the rebellion against the Romans, with Flavius Josephus as the regional commander of the Jewish forces. Following the revolt and the destruction of the Temple, the Galilee became one of the significant cultural and religious hubs of early Judaism. It was also primarily in the Galilee where the Mishnah and the Jerusalem Talmud were written.

The Byzantine period Synagogue at Capernaum in the Galilee. Courtesy Nathan Steinmeyer, BAS.

Today, the Galilee boasts a large tourism sector, with both Christians and Jews visiting the area to connect with the history of their respective religions. In addition to religious sites and cities, such as Nazareth or Tzfat, it is also a popular destination for incredible hiking trails. Two of the most popular are the Jesus Trail, a 40-mile-long route that includes numerous sites related to Jesus, and the Sea-to-Sea Trail, which stretches from the Mediterranean to the Sea of Galilee.

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