Geography in the Bible encompasses the physical locations, landscapes, and regions that form the backdrop for the events and narratives within the Scriptures. Understanding the geographical context of the Bible is essential for comprehending the historical and theological significance of its accounts.

1. The Land of Israel:

The land of Israel, often referred to as the Promised Land, is central to biblical geography. It is described as a land "flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8), signifying its fertility and abundance. This region includes diverse landscapes such as mountains, valleys, deserts, and coastal plains. Key geographical features include:

· Mountains: The central highlands, including the mountains of Judea and Samaria, play a significant role in biblical narratives. Mount Moriah, where Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac (Genesis 22:2), and Mount Sinai, where Moses received the Ten Commandments (Exodus 19:20), are notable examples.

· Rivers and Bodies of Water: The Jordan River is a significant geographical feature, marking the eastern border of the Promised Land. It is where John the Baptist baptized Jesus (Matthew 3:13). The Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea are also prominent in biblical accounts.

· Deserts: The Negev and the wilderness of Judea are arid regions where significant events occurred, such as the Israelites' wanderings for forty years (Numbers 14:33).

2. Neighboring Nations and Regions:

The Bible frequently references neighboring nations and regions, each with its own geographical and cultural significance:

· Egypt: Located to the southwest of Israel, Egypt is a land of refuge and bondage. It is where Joseph rose to power (Genesis 41:41) and where the Israelites were enslaved before the Exodus (Exodus 1:11).

· Babylon: Situated in Mesopotamia, Babylon is known for its conquest of Judah and the subsequent Babylonian Exile (2 Kings 25:11). It represents a place of judgment and exile.

· Assyria: To the northeast, Assyria was a dominant empire that conquered the northern kingdom of Israel (2 Kings 17:6).

· Philistia: Located along the coastal plain, the Philistines were frequent adversaries of Israel. The account of David and Goliath takes place in this region (1 Samuel 17:1).

3. Cities and Towns:

Cities and towns in the Bible often hold theological and historical importance:

· Jerusalem: The city of David and the location of the Temple, Jerusalem is central to Jewish worship and prophecy. It is where Jesus was crucified and resurrected (Matthew 27:33; Matthew 28:6).

· Bethlehem: Known as the birthplace of Jesus (Matthew 2:1), Bethlehem is a small town with significant messianic implications.

· Nazareth: The hometown of Jesus, Nazareth is where He grew up and began His ministry (Luke 4:16).

· Capernaum: A town on the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum served as a base for Jesus' ministry (Matthew 4:13).

4. Symbolic Geography:

Geography in the Bible is not only literal but also symbolic. Mountains often represent divine encounters, while deserts symbolize testing and purification. The Promised Land itself is a symbol of God's covenant and faithfulness.

Understanding the geographical context of the Bible enhances the reader's appreciation of the narrative and theological depth of the Scriptures. The land, its features, and its neighboring regions are intricately woven into the fabric of biblical history and prophecy, reflecting God's interaction with His people throughout time.Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Topicalbible.org

Genesis 13:7
And there was a strife between the herdsmen of Abram's cattle and the herdsmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
Topicalbible.org

Job 26:7
He stretches out the north over the empty place, and hangs the earth on nothing.
Topicalbible.org

Isaiah 40:22
It is he that sits on the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretches out the heavens as a curtain, and spreads them out as a tent to dwell in:
Topicalbible.org

1. (n.) The science which treats of the world and its inhabitants; a description of the earth, or a portion of the earth, including its structure, features, products, political divisions, and the people by whom it is inhabited.

2. (n.) A treatise on this science.

GEOGRAPHY

je-og'-ra-fi.

See PALESTINE; TABLE OF NATIONS; WORLD.

A Clearing-Up Storm in the Realm
... It is fascinating to study the geography of the Bible. We talk about the world growing
smaller. ... This is a simple bit of geography lesson in the Old Testament. ...
/.../vi a clearing-up storm in the.htm

Christ Teaching by Parables
... For instance, suppose you have a lesson to learn in geography; no matter how you
are feeling, whether you are proud, or humble; whether you are cross, or gentle ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/christ teaching by parables.htm

From the End of the Third Continental Journey, in 1834, to the ...
... After our Scripture lesson a portion of time was devoted to geography, particularly
Bible geography; then he would talk to them of places where he had travelled ...
/.../chapter xiv from the end.htm

Appendix
... The Life of Our Lord (2d ed.1892), is a thorough and very useful study of the gospels,
considering minutely all questions of chronology, harmony, and geography ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/appendix.htm

Through-The-Week Activities for Boys' Organized Classes
... Exhibition: Pet Show Mandolin and Guitar Fests Fireside and Joke Nights Spelling
Bee History Bee Geography Quiz Hallowe'en Night Pop-corn Festival Masked ...
/.../the boy and the sunday school/x through-the-week activities for boys.htm

The Birth of England's Foreign Missions
... There, and chiefly in the school-hours as he tried to teach the children geography
and the Bible and was all the while teaching himself, the missionary idea ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter ii the birth of.htm

The River of Life
... giving flood. That imaginary geography tells us this, that what is to bless
the world must come from above the world. There needs ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the river of life.htm

Joshua's Conquest.
... (1) Its geography. ... Find a basis either in incident or teaching for each. (2) The
geography of the country with the principal cities mentioned. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter viii joshuas conquest.htm

The Israelites
... the air, Nebo the interpreter and prophet of Bel-Merodach, were all adored in Palestine,
and their names were preserved to later times in the geography of the ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

From the Flood to Abraham
... All of this suggests how much more of geography these ancients knew than we are
accustomed to think. Language and Literature. ... Study the geography. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter iii from the flood.htm

Geography
... 2. (n.) A treatise on this science. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GEOGRAPHY.
je-og'-ra-fi. See PALESTINE; TABLE OF NATIONS; WORLD. ...
/g/geography.htm - 6k

Nile (37 Occurrences)
... This name does not occur in the Hebrew of the Old Testament or in the English
translation): I. THE NILE IN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 1. Description 2. Geological ...
/n/nile.htm - 29k

Armenia (2 Occurrences)
... ARMENIA. ar-me'-ni-a: I. GEOGRAPHY II. ANCIENT HISTORY 1. Turanian Armenians Their
Religion 2. Aryan Armenians: History to 114 AD LITERATURE I. Geography. ...
/a/armenia.htm - 21k

Exploration
... It is a Moslem, Istakhri, who in the 10th century makes the first effort at a
systematic geography of Palestine, and in the 10th and 13th centuries ...
/e/exploration.htm - 38k

Wanderings (7 Occurrences)
... 1. The Wilderness: A consideration of the geography and natural features of the
desert between Egypt and Edom, in which the Hebrews are said to have wandered ...
/w/wanderings.htm - 40k

Assyria (124 Occurrences)
... (see NINEVEH; BABYLON.). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ASSYRIA. a-sir'-ia: I.
GEOGRAPHY II. EARLY HISTORY III. CLIMATE AND PRODUCTIONS IV. ... I. Geography. ...
/a/assyria.htm - 101k

Criticism (1 Occurrence)
... All that geography can do is to show whether or not the situations are possible
at the time to which they are assigned; even this is a task often beyond our ...
/c/criticism.htm - 101k

Canaan (102 Occurrences)
... ka'-nan, ka'-nan-its (kena`an; Chanaan): 1. Geography 2. Meaning of the Name 3.
The Results of Recent Excavations 4. History (1) Stone Age (2) Bronze Age (3) A ...
/c/canaan.htm - 64k

Canaanites (63 Occurrences)
... ka'-nan, ka'-nan-its (kena`an; Chanaan): 1. Geography 2. Meaning of the Name 3.
The Results of Recent Excavations 4. History (1) Stone Age (2) Bronze Age (3) A ...
/c/canaanites.htm - 55k

Geology

/g/geology.htm - 16k

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Geography: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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