In biblical times, fishing was a common occupation, particularly in regions surrounding the Sea of Galilee, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Jordan River. The term "fisher" refers to individuals who engaged in the practice of catching fish, which was a vital part of the economy and daily sustenance for many communities in ancient Israel.

Old Testament Context

Fishing is mentioned in the Old Testament, though not as prominently as in the New Testament. The prophet Ezekiel speaks of fishermen in a prophetic vision concerning the restoration of Israel: "And it will come to pass that fishermen will stand by it from En Gedi to En Eglaim. There will be places for spreading nets. Their fish will be of many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea, exceedingly many" (Ezekiel 47:10). This passage highlights the abundance and prosperity that will come to the land, symbolized by the thriving fishing industry.

New Testament Context

The New Testament provides a more detailed picture of fishing and its significance. Several of Jesus' disciples were fishermen by trade, including Peter, Andrew, James, and John. The calling of these fishermen is a pivotal moment in the Gospels. In Matthew 4:18-19 , it is recorded: "As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 'Come, follow Me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.'"

This metaphor of becoming "fishers of men" is significant in Christian theology, symbolizing the mission of the disciples to spread the Gospel and bring people into the Kingdom of God. The transformation from literal fishermen to spiritual "fishers" underscores the calling to evangelism and discipleship.

Fishing Methods and Tools

The methods and tools used by fishermen in biblical times were simple yet effective. Nets were the primary tool, often made from flax or other plant fibers. These nets were cast into the water from boats or the shore. The Gospel of John describes a miraculous catch of fish, illustrating the effectiveness of these methods when guided by divine intervention: "So they cast it, and they were unable to haul it in because of the great number of fish" (John 21:6).

Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons

Fishing in the Bible often carries symbolic meaning. The act of casting nets and gathering fish is likened to the gathering of believers into the Church. Jesus' parables, such as the Parable of the Net (Matthew 13:47-50), use fishing imagery to convey spiritual truths about the Kingdom of Heaven and the final judgment.

Moreover, the image of the fisher serves as a reminder of the humble and diligent work required in the service of God. Just as fishermen must be patient and persistent, so too must believers be in their spiritual endeavors.

Cultural and Economic Importance

Fishing was not only a spiritual metaphor but also a crucial part of the economy in biblical times. The Sea of Galilee, in particular, was known for its abundant fish, providing sustenance and trade opportunities for the surrounding communities. The presence of fish markets and the trade of fish are implied in various passages, indicating the economic significance of fishing.

In summary, the role of the fisher in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing literal, symbolic, and spiritual dimensions. The calling of fishermen as disciples by Jesus highlights the transformative power of His ministry and the enduring mission of the Church to be "fishers of men."Besides its literal sense (Luke 5:2), this word is also applied by our Lord to his disciples in a figurative sense (Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17). 1. (n.) One who fishes.

2. (n.) A carnivorous animal of the Weasel family (Mustela Canadensis); the pekan; the black cat.

FISHER; FISHERMAN

fish'-er fish'-er-man (dayyagh, dawwagh; halieus; Westcott and Hort, The New Testament in Greek haleeus):

Although but few references to fishermen are made in the Bible, these men and their calling are brought into prominence by Jesus' call to certain Galilee fishermen to become His disciples (Matthew 4:18, 19 Mark 1:16, 17). Fishermen, then as now, formed a distinct class. The strenuousness of the work (Luke 5:2) ruled out the weak and indolent. They were crude in manner, rough in speech and in their treatment of others (Luke 9:49, 54 John 18:10). James and John before they became tempered by Jesus' influence were nicknamed the "sons of thunder" (Mark 3:17). The fishermen's exposure to all kinds of weather made them hardy and fearless. They were accustomed to bear with patience many trying circumstances. They often toiled for hours without success, and yet were always ready to try once more (Luke 5:5 John 21:3). Such men, when impelled by the same spirit as filled their Master, became indeed "fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19 Mark 1:17).

One of the striking instances of the fulfillment of prophecy is the use by the Syrian fishermen today of the site of ancient Tyre as a place for the spreading of their nets (Ezekiel 26:5, 14).

Figurative: Fish were largely used as food (Habakkuk 1:16), hence, the lamentation of the fishermen, who provided for all, typified general desolation (Isaiah 19:8). On the other hand, abundance of fish and many fishermen indicated general abundance (Ezekiel 47:10). Our modern expression, "treated like a dog," had its counterpart in the language of the Old Testament writers, when they portrayed the punished people of Judah as being treated like fish. Yahweh would send many fishers to fish them up and put sticks or hooks through their cheeks as a fisherman strings his fish (Jeremiah 16:16 Job 41:2). Such treatment of the people of Judah is depicted on some of the Assyrian monuments.

James A. Patch

231. halieus -- a fisherman
... fisherman. From hals; a sailor (as engaged on the salt water), ie (by implication)
a fisher -- fisher(-man). see GREEK hals. (alieis) -- 5 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/231.htm - 6k

1903. ependutes -- an outer tunic
... fisher's coat. From ependuomai; a wrapper, ie Outer garment -- fisher's coat. see
GREEK ependuomai. (ependuten) -- 1 Occurrence. 1902, 1903. ependutes. 1904 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1903.htm - 6k

232. halieuo -- to fish
... go fishing. From halieus; to be a fisher, ie (by implication) to fish -- go a-fishing.
see GREEK halieus. (alieuein) -- 1 Occurrence. 231, 232. halieuo. 233 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/232.htm - 6k

1771. davvag -- fisher
... 1770, 1771. davvag or diyyag. 1772 . fisher. Transliteration: davvag or diyyag
Phonetic Spelling: (dah-yawg') Short Definition: fisherman. ... fisher ...
/hebrew/1771.htm - 5k

1728. davvag -- a fisherman
... fisher. An orthographical variation of dag as a denominative (dayag); a fisherman --
fisher. see HEBREW dag. see HEBREW dayag. 1727, 1728. davvag. 1729 . ...
/hebrew/1728.htm - 6k

4365. mikmereth -- a net, fishing net
... drag, net Or mikmoreth {mik-mo'-reth}; feminine of makmar; a (fisher's) net -- drag,
net. see HEBREW makmar. 4364b, 4365. mikmereth. 4365a . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/4365.htm - 5k

Letter F
... Finley, Robert S. "Received 1837 * Finley, Robert W. "Received 1811 * Finley, William
P. "Received 1814, Located 1820 * Fisher, Charles "Received 1806 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter f.htm

History of the Mt. Byrd Church. When Established. Where. Charter ...
... Moffett, Sarah Ann Moffett, Catherine Stipes, Alexander Moffett, Nancy Moffett,
Emily Moffett, Harriet Moffett, Jane Moffett, Porter Fisher, Caroline Fisher ...
/.../chapter xiii history of the.htm

Selection
... TE BRIDGETT, C.SS.R., author of "Life of Blessed Thomas More," "Life of Blessed
John Fisher," &c. Crown 8vo, cloth, 6s. ... The Life of the Blessed John Fisher. ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/selection.htm

The Westminster Catechisms.
... Edinb.1737; 2d ed. Glasgow, 1764. Fisher's Catechism: The Westminster Assembly's
Shorter Catechism Explained, by way of question and answer. ...
/.../ 96 the westminster catechisms.htm

By the Sea of Galilee - the Final Call of the First Disciples, and ...
... To such call the Fisher of Men could not be deaf. ... Could such an one as he
ever hope, with whatever toil, to be a successful fisher? ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xiii by the sea.htm

Fifth Chapter. The Creeds of the Evangelical Churches.
... P. Fisher; also Schaff (Principle of Protestantism, 1845), Dorner (Geschichte
der Protest. Theologie, 1867, pp.77-329, Engl. transl. ...
/.../fifth chapter the creeds of.htm

The Miraculous Feeding of the Five Thousand
... This was Beth-Saida (the house of fishing,' Fisher-town,' [3198] as we might call
it), on the eastern border of Galilee, [3199] just within the territory of ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxix the miraculous feeding.htm

Literature on the Gospels.
... Chr??tienne. Paris, 1877. Geo. P. Fisher (Professor in New Haven): The
Beginnings of Christianity. New York, 1877. Chs. VIII.-XII. ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 77 literature on the.htm

Index.
... Fanaticism, antipopery, 6o, 61, 312. Finney, Charles G., 375. Fisher, George Park,
182, 382. Fisher, Sidney George, 118, 120, 143-145. Fitch, John, 150. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacon/a history of american christianity/index 2.htm

The English Reformation.
... until 1658 and The Worthies of England), Neal (History of the Puritans), Heylin,
Soames, Massingbeard, Short, Blunt, Waddington, Weber, d'Aubign??, Fisher. ...
/.../ 76 the english reformation.htm

Fisher (1 Occurrence)
... cat. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FISHER; FISHERMAN. fish ... monuments. James
A. Patch. Multi-Version Concordance Fisher (1 Occurrence). Luke ...
/f/fisher.htm - 10k

Fisher's (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia FISHER'S COAT. kot: This expression ... DRESS.
Multi-Version Concordance Fisher's (1 Occurrence). John 21 ...
/f/fisher's.htm - 7k

Coat (54 Occurrences)
... The "fisher's coat" of John 21:7 was obviously an outer garment or cloak, as was
also the "coat" made by Hannah for Samuel (1 Samuel 2:19). ...FISHER'S COAT. ...
/c/coat.htm - 25k

Fisherman (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) A ship or vessel employed in the business of taking fish, as in the cod
fishery. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FISHER; FISHERMAN. ...
/f/fisherman.htm - 9k

Peter (181 Occurrences)
... Philip belonged. Here he was brought up by the shores of the Sea of Galilee,
and was trained to the occupation of a fisher. His ...
/p/peter.htm - 101k

Fishers (8 Occurrences)

/f/fishers.htm - 8k

Fishes (32 Occurrences)

/f/fishes.htm - 16k

Girt (13 Occurrences)
... Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto
him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. (KJV ASV WBS). ...
/g/girt.htm - 10k

Working (205 Occurrences)
... working with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, Have no fear; from this time
forward you will be a fisher of men. (BBE). Luke 13:14 ...
/w/working.htm - 36k

Fishing (4 Occurrences)
... of the net in his hand. The cone thus formed encloses such fish as cannot
escape the quick throw of the fisher. (b) A long net or ...
/f/fishing.htm - 13k

What does it mean to be “fishers of men”? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Andrew in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Where was Jesus crucified? | GotQuestions.org

Fisher: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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