Chinneroth
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Topical Encyclopedia
Etymology and Name Variations:
Chinneroth, also spelled Kinnereth or Kinneroth, is a name that appears in the Old Testament. The name is believed to be derived from the Hebrew word "kinnor," meaning "harp" or "lyre," possibly referring to the shape of the lake or the sound of the waters. The name is used to describe both a city and a body of water in the region of Galilee.

Biblical References:
Chinneroth is mentioned in several passages in the Old Testament. In Joshua 11:2, it is referred to as a city: "to the kings of the north in the hill country, the Arabah south of Chinneroth, in the lowland, and in Naphoth-dor on the west." This indicates its location in the northern part of the land of Canaan, near the Sea of Galilee.

In Joshua 12:3, Chinneroth is mentioned in the context of the territories conquered by the Israelites: "and the Arabah as far as the Sea of Chinneroth on the east, and as far as the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) on the east, toward Beth-jeshimoth, and southward below the slopes of Pisgah." Here, the "Sea of Chinneroth" is identified with the Sea of Galilee, a freshwater lake in the northeastern part of Israel.

Geographical Significance:
The Sea of Chinneroth, known today as the Sea of Galilee, is a significant geographical feature in the biblical narrative. It is the largest freshwater lake in Israel and is situated in the Jordan Rift Valley. The lake is approximately 13 miles long and 8 miles wide, with a maximum depth of about 141 feet. It is fed by the Jordan River and other smaller streams.

The region around Chinneroth was fertile and well-suited for agriculture, making it an important area for settlement and trade. The lake itself was a vital resource for fishing, which was a major industry during biblical times.

Historical and Theological Context:
Chinneroth, as part of the Promised Land, holds historical and theological significance in the biblical narrative. The conquest of the land, including the area around Chinneroth, was a fulfillment of God's promise to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The region's strategic location made it a focal point for various military campaigns and interactions between different peoples and cultures.

In the New Testament, the Sea of Galilee (Chinneroth) is the setting for many events in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. It is where Jesus called His first disciples, performed miracles, and taught the multitudes. The lake's association with these events underscores its continued importance in the biblical narrative.

Archaeological Insights:
Archaeological excavations in the region around the Sea of Galilee have uncovered evidence of ancient settlements and trade routes. These findings provide insight into the daily life and economic activities of the people who lived in the area during biblical times. The discovery of ancient fishing boats and tools corroborates the biblical accounts of fishing as a primary occupation for many inhabitants.

Conclusion:
Chinneroth, both as a city and as a body of water, plays a significant role in the biblical narrative. Its mention in the context of Israel's conquest and settlement highlights its importance in the history of the Israelites. The Sea of Chinneroth, or the Sea of Galilee, continues to be a site of religious and historical interest, drawing pilgrims and scholars alike to explore its rich biblical heritage.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Chinneroth

[CHINNERETH, CHINNERETH, SEA OF]

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CHINNERETH; CHINNEROTH

kin'-e-reth, kin'-e-roth (kinnereth (Deuteronomy 3:17 Joshua 19:35, etc.)), (kinaroth; Codex Vaticanus, Kenereth, Codex Alexandrinus, Cheneroth (Joshua 11:2)): Taking the order in which the towns are mentioned, this city seems to have lain North of Rakkath (?Tiberias). It may have occupied the site of el-Mejdel, at the Southwest corner of the plain of Gennesaret. From this city the sea took its Old Testament name (Numbers 34:11, etc.).

Strong's Hebrew
3672. Kinaroth -- a city in Galilee, also a lake near the city
... Word Origin from the same as kinnor Definition a city in Galilee, also a lake
near the city NASB Word Usage Chinnereth (4), Chinneroth (3). ...
/hebrew/3672.htm - 6k
Library

The Lake of Gennesaret; Or, the Sea of Galilee and Tiberias.
... It is disputed by the Jerusalem Talmudists, why 'Chinneroth' occurs sometimes in
the plural number; as Joshua 11:2, 'The south of Chinneroth'; and Joshua 12:3 ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 70 the lake of.htm

Jesus Calls Four Fishermen to Follow Him.
... It was anciently called Chinnereth (Numbers 34:11), or Chinneroth (Judges 12:3),
from a fortified town (Joshua 19:35) and district (I. Kings xv.20) in Naphtali ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxx jesus calls four fishermen.htm

Thesaurus
Chinneroth (3 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia CHINNERETH; CHINNEROTH. kin'-e ... etc.).
Multi-Version Concordance Chinneroth (3 Occurrences). Joshua ...
/c/chinneroth.htm - 8k

Chin'neroth (3 Occurrences)
Chin'neroth. Chinneroth, Chin'neroth. Chins . Multi-Version Concordance
Chin'neroth (3 Occurrences). Joshua 11:2 and to the kings ...
/c/chin'neroth.htm - 7k

Kinnereth (7 Occurrences)
... Joshua 11:2 and to the kings that were on the north, in the hill-country and in
the Arabah south of Chinneroth, and in the Lowland, and in the regions of Dor ...
/k/kinnereth.htm - 8k

Chinnereth (4 Occurrences)
... Lyre, the singular form of the word (Deuteronomy 3:17; Joshua 19:35), which is also
used in the plural form, Chinneroth, the name of a fenced city which stood ...
/c/chinnereth.htm - 9k

South (170 Occurrences)
... Joshua 11:2 and to the kings who were on the north, in the hill country, in the
Arabah south of Chinneroth, in the lowland, and in the heights of Dor on the ...
/s/south.htm - 46k

Arabah (32 Occurrences)
... Joshua 11:2 and to the kings who were on the north, in the hill country, in the
Arabah south of Chinneroth, in the lowland, and in the heights of Dor on the ...
/a/arabah.htm - 33k

Naphoth-dor (1 Occurrence)
... Joshua 11:2 and to the kings who were on the north, in the hill country, in the
Arabah south of Chinneroth, in the lowland, and in the heights of Dor on the ...
/n/naphoth-dor.htm - 7k

Northward (41 Occurrences)
... Joshua 11:2 and to the kings that were northward in the mountains, and in the plain
south of Chinneroth, and in the lowland, and on the upland of Dor on the ...
/n/northward.htm - 21k

Northern (18 Occurrences)
... Joshua 11:2 and to the kings that were on the north, in the hill-country and in
the Arabah south of Chinneroth, and in the Lowland, and in the regions of Dor ...
/n/northern.htm - 12k

Upland (4 Occurrences)
... Joshua 11:2 and to the kings that were northward in the mountains, and in the plain
south of Chinneroth, and in the lowland, and on the upland of Dor on the ...
/u/upland.htm - 8k

Resources
What is the significance of the Sea of Galilee in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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Concordance
Chinneroth (3 Occurrences)

Joshua 11:2
and to the kings who were on the north, in the hill country, in the Arabah south of Chinneroth, in the lowland, and in the heights of Dor on the west,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY YLT NAS)

Joshua 12:3
and the Arabah to the sea of Chinneroth, eastward, and to the sea of the Arabah, even the Salt Sea, eastward, the way to Beth Jeshimoth; and on the south, under the slopes of Pisgah:
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY YLT NAS)

1 Kings 15:20
Ben Hadad listened to king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel, and struck Ijon, and Dan, and Abel Beth Maacah, and all Chinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali.
(WEB JPS ASV BBE YLT NAS)

Subtopics

Chinneroth

Related Terms

Chinneroth (3 Occurrences)

Chins (2 Occurrences)

Chinnereth: The Sea of
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