SEA OF GALILEE
4th February 2017Another name for this lake is the Lake of Gennesaret. In Hebrew it is also known as YamKinneret because it is in the shape of a harp. It is also known as the Lake or Sea of Tiberias.
It is a fresh water lake in the northern part of the country that is lower than sea level, 208m under the level of the Mediterranean Sea.
It is approximately 21km long, 12km at its widest and approximately 45m deep. The lakes main source is the Jordan River that flows out of the Hermon mountains. A storm can arise from the sea in minutes due to the wind.
From the earliest times, fishing was an important industry and the storms on the sea were a huge problem for the fishermen in their little boats.
Jesus completed most of His ministry in this area and lots of the miracles were performed here. He stilled the stormy sea (Mark 4:35-41) walked on the sea (Matthew 14:25) caused amazing quantities of fish to be caught (Luke 5:1-11), fed thousands (Matthew14:14-21) and healed many sicknesses.
We find mention of the Sea of Galilee in the following scriptures: Numbers 34:11; Deuteronomy 3:17; Matthew 4:18; 15:29; Mark 1:16; 7:31 and John 6:1.
The Sea of Galilee is now the main water supply for the whole of Israel. The Negev desert in the south is irrigated from this Sea.
The lake has many different varieties of fish. The famous St. Peter’s Fish (named after the Apostle Peter) is popular among residents and tourists.
‘n Ander naam vir hierdie meer is die meer van Gennesaret. In Hebreërs is dit ook bekend as YamKinneret omdat dit in the vorm van ‘n harp is. Dit staan ook bekend as die See van Tiberias.
Dit is ‘n varswater meer in die noordelike gedeelte van die land. Dit is laer as seevlak en 208m onder die vlak van die Middellandse See.
Dit is ongeveer 21km lank, 12km op die breedste gedeelte en omtrent 45m diep. Die hoof oorsprong van die meer is die Jordaan Rivier wat vanuit die Hermon Berg vloei. ‘n Storm kan binne minute oor die see onstaan as gevolg van die wind.
Visvang is sedert die vroegste tye ‘n belangrike nywerheid en die stormagtige see was ‘n groot probleem vir vissermanne in hul klein skuitjies.
Jesus het die meeste van sy ministerie in hierdie gebied voltooi en baie wonderwerke is hier uitgevoer. Hy het ‘n stormwind aangespreek (Markus 35 – 41), op die see geloop (Matteus 14:25), mense verbyster deur ‘n groot visvangs (Lukas 5:1-11), duisende gevoed (Matteus 14:14-21) en baie mense genees.
Die See van Galilea word ook in die volgende tekste in die Bybel gemeld:- Numeri 34:11; Deuteronomium 3:17; Matteus 4:18; 15:29; Markus 1:16; 7:31 en Johannes 6:1.
Die See van Galilea voorsien water aan die hele Israel. Die Negev woestyn in die suid word vannuit hierdie see besproei.
Die meer het ‘n verskeidenheid visse. Die beroemde “St Peter’s vis” (genoem na die Apostel Paulus) is gewild onder inwoners en toeriste.