The term "maritime" refers to activities, commerce, and navigation related to the sea. In biblical times, maritime activities were crucial for trade, travel, and cultural exchange. The Bible contains numerous references to maritime practices, reflecting the significance of the sea in the ancient Near Eastern world.

Geographical Context

The Mediterranean Sea, often referred to as the "Great Sea" in the Bible, was the primary body of water influencing the maritime activities of the Israelites and their neighbors. The coastal regions of Israel, including cities like Joppa (modern-day Jaffa) and Tyre, were significant ports for trade and travel. The Sea of Galilee, though smaller, was also a vital body of water for fishing and local commerce.

Maritime Nations and Peoples

Several nations mentioned in the Bible were known for their maritime prowess. The Phoenicians, particularly the city of Tyre, were renowned for their seafaring skills and extensive trade networks. Ezekiel 27 provides a detailed account of Tyre's maritime commerce, describing its ships, sailors, and the vast array of goods traded: "Your oarsmen take you out to the high seas. But the east wind will break you to pieces in the heart of the sea" (Ezekiel 27:26).

The Philistines, who inhabited the coastal regions of Canaan, were also a maritime people. Their interactions with the Israelites often involved conflicts over coastal territories and access to the sea.

Maritime Imagery and Symbolism

The sea is frequently used in the Bible as a symbol of chaos and danger, reflecting the ancient Near Eastern view of the sea as a place of uncertainty and threat. In Genesis 1:2, the Spirit of God hovers over the "surface of the waters," indicating God's sovereignty over the chaotic primordial sea.

In the New Testament, Jesus demonstrates His authority over the sea in several instances. In Matthew 8:23-27, Jesus calms a storm on the Sea of Galilee, showcasing His divine power: "Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm" (Matthew 8:26).

Maritime Commerce and Trade

Maritime trade was essential for the economic prosperity of ancient Israel and its neighbors. Solomon's reign is noted for its extensive trade networks, including maritime ventures. 1 Kings 9:26-28 describes Solomon's fleet, which sailed to Ophir to bring back gold: "King Solomon also built a fleet of ships at Ezion-geber, which is near Eloth in Edom, on the shore of the Red Sea" (1 Kings 9:26).

The import of goods such as timber from Lebanon, gold, silver, and exotic animals was facilitated by maritime trade routes. These exchanges not only brought wealth but also cultural and technological influences from distant lands.

Fishing and Daily Life

Fishing was a common occupation in biblical times, particularly around the Sea of Galilee. The Gospels frequently mention fishermen, including several of Jesus' disciples, such as Peter, Andrew, James, and John. In Luke 5:1-11, Jesus calls His first disciples from among the fishermen, illustrating the importance of this profession in daily life.

Prophetic and Eschatological References

The sea also appears in prophetic and eschatological contexts. In Revelation, the sea is depicted as a place of judgment and transformation. Revelation 21:1 states, "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more" . This imagery signifies the removal of chaos and the establishment of God's eternal order.

Overall, maritime activities and symbolism in the Bible reflect the cultural, economic, and spiritual dimensions of life in the ancient world, highlighting the sea's role as both a source of sustenance and a symbol of divine power and judgment.1. (a.) Bordering on, or situated near, the ocean; as, the Maritime Provinces of Canada; connected with the sea by site, interest, or power; having shipping and commerce or a navy; as, maritime states.

2. (a.) of or pertaining to the ocean; marine; pertaining to navigation and naval affairs, or to shipping and commerce by sea.

4605. Sidon -- Sidon, a maritime city of Phoenicia
... Sidon, a maritime city of Phoenicia. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
Sidon Phonetic Spelling: (sid-one') Short Definition: Sidon Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4605.htm - 6k

4946. Surakousai -- Syracuse, a large maritime city of Sicily
... Syracuse, a large maritime city of Sicily. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: Surakousai Phonetic Spelling: (soo-rak'-oo-sahee) Short Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4946.htm - 6k

3882. paralios -- by the sea, the sea coast
... sea coast. From para and hals; beside the salt (sea), ie Maritime -- sea coast.
see GREEK para. see GREEK hals. (paraliou) -- 1 Occurrence. 3881, 3882. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3882.htm - 6k

3864. parathalassios -- by the sea
... by the sea. From para and thalassa; along the sea, ie Maritime (lacustrine) --
upon the sea coast. see GREEK para. see GREEK thalassa. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3864.htm - 6k

4565. Saron -- Sharon, a plain in Palestine
... Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Saron Phonetic Spelling:
(sar'-one) Short Definition: Sharon Definition: Sharon, the maritime plain between ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4565.htm - 6k

8219. shephelah -- lowland
... low country, low plain, vale. From shaphel; Lowland, ie (with the article) the maritime
slope of Palestine -- low country, (low) plain, vale(-ley). ...
/hebrew/8219.htm - 6k

The Maritime Itinerant.
... III. THE MARITIME ITINERANT. The population of Nova Scotia in 1781 numbered
twelve thousand, of whom there were about one hundred ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclean/william black/iii the maritime itinerant.htm

Last Days and After.
... began to tell upon a strong constitution, so that gradually the physical strength
of the pioneer evangelist and missionary in the Maritime Provinces became so ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclean/william black/vii last days and after.htm

Introduction
... of the Atlantic; and just as the Atlantic is the highroad of commerce and trade
for us of to-day, so the Mediterranean was the seat of maritime enterprise and ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/introduction.htm

The Intrepid Pioneer.
... and so successful were his efforts for the conversion of souls, that John Wesley
became more concerned than ever, in the affairs in the Maritime Provinces and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclean/william black/iv the intrepid pioneer.htm

The Parthians Bring Antigonus Back into Judea, and Cast Hyrcanus ...
... the sea-coast, while he ordered Barzapharnes to fall upon the Jews as he went along
the Mediterranean part of the country; but of the maritime people, the ...
/.../chapter 13 the parthians bring.htm

A Description Op Galilee, Samaria, and Judea.
... As for that Galilee which is called the Lower, it, extends in length from Tiberias
to Zabulon, and of the maritime places Ptolemais is its neighbor; its ...
/.../chapter 3 a description op.htm

Farewell
... So, when Prince Andreas, came down to Piraeus, the seaport of Athens, to board on
the fashionable French SS Messengerie-Maritime, he was surprised by the ...
/.../conversion of a high priest into a christian worker/chapter i farewell.htm

Black and Wesley.
... at Windsor, and they passed a resolution asking that William Black be allowed to
assume his position as General Superintendent of the Maritime Provinces and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclean/william black/v black and wesley.htm

Of the Origin, Life, Reign, Name and Death of Jupiter, and of ...
... for we say that his kingdom resembled that unlimited authority possessed by Mark
Antony, to whom the senate had decreed the power of the maritime coast, that ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xi of the origin life.htm

The Birth of a Movement.
... It was a period of emigration and revival, and in the great commotion, the present
Maritime Provinces of Canada shared in the blessings of the new movement. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclean/william black/i the birth of a.htm

Maritime (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (a.) Bordering on, or situated near, the ocean; as, the Maritime Provinces of
Canada; connected with the sea by site, interest, or power; having shipping ...
/m/maritime.htm - 7k

Ahaziah (34 Occurrences)
... In his reign the Moabites revolted from under his authority (2 Kings 3:5-7). He
united with Jehoshaphat in an attempt to revive maritime trade by the Red Sea ...
/a/ahaziah.htm - 28k

Territory (140 Occurrences)
... JUDAH, TERRITORY OF. (yehudhah): I. GEOGRAPHICAL DATA 1. The Natural Boundaries
2. The Natural Divisions of Judah (1) The Maritime Plain (2) The Shephelah (3 ...
/t/territory.htm - 56k

Syria (73 Occurrences)
... sir'-ia (Suria (Matthew 4:24 Luke 2:2)): 1. Name and Its Origin 2. Other Designations
3. Physical (1) The Maritime Plain (2) First MoUntain Belt (3) Second ...
/s/syria.htm - 60k

Lowland (34 Occurrences)
... LOWLAND. lo'-land (shephelah; compare Arabic sufalat, "the lowest part"): The western
part of Palestine, including the maritime plain and the foothills. ...
/l/lowland.htm - 19k

Island (16 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 47:4), but more frequently simply denotes a maritime region or sea-coast
(Isaiah 20:6, RV, " coastland;23:2, 6; Jeremiah 2:10; Ezek. ...
/i/island.htm - 16k

Canaan (102 Occurrences)
... (2.) The country which derived its name from the preceding. The name as first used
by the Phoenicians denoted only the maritime plain on which Sidon was built. ...
/c/canaan.htm - 64k

Trade (33 Occurrences)
... Traders II. HISTORY 1. To David 2. Solomon 3. Maritime Trade 4. To the Exile
5. The Exile and After LITERATURE I. General. 1. Terms ...
/t/trade.htm - 40k

Judah (802 Occurrences)
... The land assigned to Judah lay in the South of Palestine (see JUDAH, TERRITORY OF),
comprising part of the mountain, the Shephelah, and the maritime plain. ...
/j/judah.htm - 101k

Zeboim (7 Occurrences)
... ten Samein (1 Samuel 13:18)): (1) A Benjamite town mentioned as between HADID (which
see) and NEBALLAT (which see), and therefore in the maritime plain near ...
/z/zeboim.htm - 11k

Who were the Philistines? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Huram / Hiram in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Japheth in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Maritime: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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