In biblical times, harbors were crucial for trade, travel, and communication across the Mediterranean and other bodies of water. They served as safe havens for ships, providing shelter from storms and a place for loading and unloading goods. The Bible references several harbors, highlighting their importance in the ancient world.

Biblical References:

1. Joppa (Jaffa): One of the most notable harbors mentioned in the Bible is Joppa. It served as a significant port city in ancient Israel. In the Old Testament, Joppa is mentioned in the context of the construction of Solomon's Temple. Timber from Lebanon was floated to Joppa for transport to Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 2:16: "We will cut logs from Lebanon as much as you need, and we will float them as rafts by sea to Joppa. Then you can take them up to Jerusalem."). In the New Testament, Joppa is where Peter raised Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead (Acts 9:36-43).

2. Caesarea Maritima: Built by Herod the Great, Caesarea Maritima was a major Roman port and the site of significant events in the New Testament. It was here that Cornelius, the Roman centurion, received a vision leading to Peter's visit and the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles (Acts 10). Paul also sailed from Caesarea on his missionary journeys and was later imprisoned there before being sent to Rome (Acts 23:23-35).

3. Alexandria: While not directly mentioned as a harbor in the Bible, Alexandria in Egypt was a prominent port city. Ships from Alexandria are noted in the account of Paul's journey to Rome. In Acts 27:6 (BSB: "There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board."), Paul boards an Alexandrian ship, indicating the city's role as a hub for maritime travel.

4. Fair Havens: During Paul's voyage to Rome, the ship he was on docked at a harbor called Fair Havens on the island of Crete. Despite its name, Fair Havens was not considered a suitable place to spend the winter, leading to the decision to sail further, which resulted in a shipwreck (Acts 27:8-12: "Passing along the lee of a small island called Cauda, we barely managed to secure the lifeboat.").

Symbolic and Theological Significance:

Harbors in the Bible often symbolize safety, refuge, and provision. They are places where travelers find rest and security after perilous journeys. Spiritually, harbors can be seen as metaphors for God's protection and care for His people. Just as ships seek refuge in harbors, believers find solace and safety in God's presence.

The use of harbors in biblical narratives also underscores the spread of the Gospel. The ports facilitated the movement of apostles and early Christians, enabling the message of Christ to reach distant lands. This highlights the providential use of infrastructure and geography in God's redemptive plan.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient world, harbors were vital for economic and cultural exchange. They connected different regions and peoples, allowing for the flow of goods, ideas, and beliefs. The harbors mentioned in the Bible were part of a larger network of trade routes that linked the Roman Empire and beyond.

The construction and maintenance of harbors required significant resources and engineering skill. Herod the Great's development of Caesarea Maritima, for example, involved advanced techniques to create a deep-water port, showcasing the technological capabilities of the time.

Overall, harbors in the Bible serve as important settings for historical events and theological themes, reflecting their multifaceted role in the ancient world.2568. Kaloi Limenes -- Fair Havens, a harbor in Crete
... fair havens. Plural of kalos and limen; Good Harbors, ie Fairhaven, a bay of Crete --
fair havens. see GREEK kalos. see GREEK limen. (limenas) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2568.htm - 6k

The Saviour's Last Command.
... The navies of Christian, lands have fought in my harbors, and their armies upon
my shores. ... Their thundering navies lie in my harbors and sail along my coasts. ...
/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter iv the saviours last.htm

The Occurrences at Alexandria.
... And our smooth and waveless harbors have become like the sea, divided and walled
up, through which Israel drove and in whose highway the Egyptians were ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxi the occurrences at alexandria.htm

From the Commencement of the Revolution in 1776, to Its ...
... of the United States. The fleets of England were in our harbors, and her
soldiers were landed upon our shores. But what rendered ...
/.../chapter 2 from the commencement.htm

Conclusion
... As the parent of eloquence will he form them, and as an old experienced pilot will
he give them an account of shores, and harbors, and what are the presages of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/the training of a public speaker/conclusion.htm

From Abraham to Egypt.
... In Tyre and Sidon there were great glass works and dying factories. There were
also vast harbors crowded with sea going ships. Luxurious ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter iv from abraham to.htm

Gottlieb Shober.
... 75. Harbors Reformed Views on Lord's Supper."The charges against David Henkel as
to his teaching the Romish doctrine of transubstantiation, referred to above ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/gottlieb shober.htm

Theophilus.
... converting power of, 93. Sea, the, 100, emblem of the world, 100. its harbors, emblems
of the churches, 100. its perils, of heresies, 100. Seth, his race, 106. ...
/.../clement/who is the rich man that shall be saved/theophilus.htm

Barriers Broken Down
... the plain below, the ancient cities of Tyre and Sidon, with their heathen temples,
their magnificent palaces and marts of trade, and the harbors filled with ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 43 barriers broken down.htm

The Mustard Seed
... of God, and its advance to universal supremacy, represented by the small seed of
a shrub which grows to the height of a tree, and even harbors birds, he is ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 4 30-34 the mustard seed.htm

Then Said I, Since I Perceived by the Setting Sun that Evening was ...
... you have now heard about that famous man; and as you retrace your steps to your
former haunts, and pass along by various coasts, places, harbors, islands, and ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xvii then said i.htm

Side (4225 Occurrences)
... no occupied houses. The two harbors protected by a sea wall may still
be traced, but they are now filled with sand. The wall on ...
/s/side.htm - 10k

Phoenicians
... There are few harbors on the whole coast, none in the modern sense, since what few
bays and inlets there are afford but slight shelter to modern ships, but ...
/p/phoenicians.htm - 38k

Phoenicia (6 Occurrences)
... There are few harbors on the whole coast, none in the modern sense, since what few
bays and inlets there are afford but slight shelter to modern ships, but ...
/p/phoenicia.htm - 40k

Corinth (13 Occurrences)
... Corinth had three good harbors (Lechaeum, on the Corinthian, and Cenchrea and Schoenus
on the Saronic Gulf), and thus commanded the traffic of both the eastern ...
/c/corinth.htm - 21k

Minor (2 Occurrences)
... is deeply indented: there is a total coast line of four times the length of a line
drawn from North to South The numerous land-locked bays and harbors of this ...
/m/minor.htm - 62k

Asia (22 Occurrences)
... is deeply indented: there is a total coast line of four times the length of a line
drawn from North to South The numerous land-locked bays and harbors of this ...
/a/asia.htm - 71k

Harbors (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Harbors (2 Occurrences). Proverbs 22:24 Don't befriend
a hot-tempered man, and don't associate with one who harbors anger: (WEB). ...
/h/harbors.htm - 6k

Disguises (3 Occurrences)
... face. (WEB NAS RSV). Proverbs 26:24 A malicious man disguises himself with
his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart. (WEB NAS NIV). ...
/d/disguises.htm - 7k

Malicious (13 Occurrences)
... tongue. (See NIV). Proverbs 26:24 A malicious man disguises himself with his
lips, but he harbors evil in his heart. (WEB NIV). Isaiah ...
/m/malicious.htm - 10k

Mitylene (1 Occurrence)
... It had 2 harbors and strong fortresses. The city was noted for its high culture
and for its zeal for art and science from the earliest times. ...
/m/mitylene.htm - 9k

If I do not forgive others, does that mean my sins are not forgiven? What does Matthew 6:14-15 mean? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to be contrite? What is contrition? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus