Phoenicia, also known as Phenicia or Phenice, was an ancient civilization located along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, primarily in what is now modern-day Lebanon, with parts extending into Syria and northern Israel. The region is notable for its significant role in biblical history and its influence on the ancient world through trade, culture, and the spread of the alphabet.

Geographical Context:
Phoenicia was a narrow strip of land bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the west and the Lebanon Mountains to the east. Its major cities included Tyre, Sidon, and Byblos, which were prominent centers of commerce and culture. The region's strategic location made it a hub for maritime trade, connecting the ancient Near East with the wider Mediterranean world.

Historical Significance:
The Phoenicians were renowned for their skills in shipbuilding, navigation, and trade. They established trade routes and colonies throughout the Mediterranean, including Carthage in North Africa. Their influence extended as far as the British Isles, where they traded for tin. The Phoenicians are credited with developing one of the earliest known alphabets, which greatly influenced the Greek and Latin scripts.

Biblical References:
Phoenicia is mentioned several times in the Bible, often in the context of its cities, Tyre and Sidon. These cities were known for their wealth and commerce, as well as their pagan practices, which were often at odds with the Israelites.

1. Tyre and Sidon: In the Old Testament, Tyre and Sidon are frequently mentioned as powerful and wealthy cities. The prophet Ezekiel prophesied against Tyre, foretelling its downfall due to its pride and idolatry (Ezekiel 26-28). Similarly, Isaiah prophesied against both Tyre and Sidon (Isaiah 23).

2. Jesus and Phoenicia: In the New Testament, Jesus visited the region of Tyre and Sidon. In the Gospel of Matthew, a Canaanite woman from the vicinity of Tyre and Sidon approached Jesus, seeking healing for her demon-possessed daughter. Jesus commended her faith and granted her request (Matthew 15:21-28).

3. The Early Church: Phoenicia played a role in the spread of early Christianity. After the persecution that followed Stephen's martyrdom, believers scattered and traveled as far as Phoenicia, spreading the Gospel (Acts 11:19). The Apostle Paul also passed through Phoenicia on his missionary journeys (Acts 21:2-3).

Cultural and Religious Influence:
The Phoenicians were polytheistic, worshiping a pantheon of gods and goddesses, including Baal and Astarte. Their religious practices often involved rituals and ceremonies that were condemned by the prophets of Israel. Despite this, the Phoenicians' cultural and technological contributions, particularly their alphabet, had a lasting impact on the ancient world and beyond.

Legacy:
Phoenicia's legacy is evident in its contributions to language, trade, and culture. The spread of the Phoenician alphabet laid the foundation for modern writing systems. Their maritime prowess and commercial networks facilitated cultural exchanges across the Mediterranean, influencing the civilizations they encountered. Phoenicia's interactions with Israel and its mention in biblical narratives highlight its significance in the historical and religious context of the Bible.Phoenicia, Phenicia or Phenice

Acts 15:3, in its largest sense, designated a narrow strip of country extending nearly the whole length of the eastern coast of the Mediterranean sea, form Antioch to the borders of Egypt. But Phoenicia Proper was included between the cities of Laodicea in Syria and Tyre, and comprehended mainly the territories of Tyre and Sidon. Before Joshua conquered Palestine this country was possessed by Canaanites, sons of ham, divided into eleven families, of which the most powerful was that of Canaan, the founder of Sidon, the head of the Canaanites properly so called, whom the Greeks named Phoenicians. Only these preserved their independence under Joshua, and also under David, Solomon, and the succeeding kings; but they were subdued y the kings of Assyria and Chaldea. Afterwards, they were successively subject to the Persians, Greeks, and Romans.

The Phoenicians were long renowned as a rich, cultivated, and powerful people. They were a confederacy of commercial cities, each of which with the adjacent territory was subject to its own king. Their coast was crowded with towns; and their fleets were the first to lose sight of the shores, traverse the whole Mediterranean, and establish their commerce and their colonies even on remote coasts of Europe and Africa. The productions of all known lands were exchanged in their markets, Ezekiel 27:1-36. Carthage, the early rival of Rome, was a Phoenician colony; as were also Cadiz and Tarshish in Spain, Ezekiel 38:13. Their language was almost identical with that of the Jews, and may be traced in the names of several Spanish cities. Solomon was indebted to them for aid in erecting the temple, and in building and navigating his ships. See TYRE. Their territory lay between the seashore and the summits of Lebanon; and being well watered and fertile, it produced at its various elevations a rich variety of agricultural products. Its inhabitants were worshippers of Baal and Ashtoreth.

At this day, Phoenicia is in subjection to the Turks, and belongs in the pashalic of Acre, not having had any national or native kings, or any independent form of government, for more than tow thousand years. The name Phoenicia is not in the books of Hebrew Scripture; but only in the Maccabees and the New Testament. The Hebrew always reads Canaan, Isaiah 23:11, margin. Matthew calls the same person a Canaanitish woman, Matthew 15:22, whom Mark calls a SyroPhoenician, Mark 7:26, that is, a Phoenician of Syria, because Phoenicia then made a part of Syria.

5403. Phoinike -- Phoenicia, a region North of Galilee
... Phoenicia. From phoinix; palm-country; Phoenice (or Phoenicia), a region of Palestine --
Phenice, Phenicia. see GREEK phoinix. (phoiniken) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
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