The term "inland" refers to areas that are situated away from the coast or border of a landmass. In the context of the Bible, the concept of inland regions can be understood through the geographical and cultural settings of the ancient Near East, where much of the biblical narrative unfolds. The Bible, while not frequently using the specific term "inland," often describes regions, cities, and peoples that are located away from coastal areas, providing insight into the life and events that took place in these areas.

Geographical Context

The land of Israel, as described in the Bible, includes both coastal and inland regions. The inland areas are characterized by diverse landscapes, including mountains, valleys, and plains. These regions were often central to the narratives of the Old and New Testaments, serving as the backdrop for significant events and the lives of key biblical figures.

Biblical References

1. The Hill Country of Judea: This inland region is frequently mentioned in the Bible. It is where Mary visited Elizabeth, as recorded in Luke 1:39-40: "In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth." The hill country, being inland, was a place of refuge and seclusion.

2. The City of Jerusalem: Situated inland, Jerusalem holds a central place in biblical history. It is the site of the Temple and the city of David. Psalm 125:2 describes its geographical setting: "As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people both now and forevermore." The city's inland location made it a strategic and spiritual center for the Israelites.

3. The Wilderness: Inland wilderness areas, such as the Wilderness of Judea, are significant in biblical narratives. These regions were often places of testing and revelation. For example, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, as described in Matthew 4:1: "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil."

4. The Land of Canaan: The Promised Land, which the Israelites entered under Joshua's leadership, included many inland territories. Joshua 11:16-17 provides a description of the conquest: "So Joshua took all this land: the hill country, all the Negev, all the land of Goshen, the foothills, the Arabah, and the hill country of Israel with its foothills, from Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir, to Baal-gad in the Valley of Lebanon below Mount Hermon."

Cultural and Historical Significance

Inland regions in biblical times were often less influenced by the maritime trade and cultural exchanges that characterized coastal cities. As a result, these areas maintained distinct cultural and religious practices. The isolation of inland regions sometimes provided a setting for the preservation of traditional beliefs and practices, as well as a refuge for those seeking to escape external influences.

Prophetic and Symbolic Meaning

Inland areas can also carry symbolic meanings in biblical prophecy and literature. They are sometimes depicted as places of safety and divine protection, as seen in the imagery of God surrounding His people like the mountains around Jerusalem. Additionally, the journey from coastal to inland areas can symbolize a spiritual journey from worldly influences to a closer relationship with God.

In summary, while the Bible does not frequently use the term "inland," the concept is integral to understanding the geographical and cultural context of many biblical events and narratives. The inland regions of the biblical world were significant in shaping the history and faith of the people of Israel.1. (a.) Within the land; remote from the ocean or from open water; interior; as, an inland town.

2. (a.) Limited to the land, or to inland routes; within the seashore boundary; not passing on, or over, the sea; as, inland transportation, commerce, navigation, etc.

3. (a.) Confined to a country or state; domestic; not foreign; as, an inland bill of exchange. See Exchange.

4. (n.) The interior part of a country.

5. (adv.) Into, or towards, the interior, away from the coast.

5018. Tarseus -- of Tarsus
... 5018 -- , the leading city in ancient Cilicia (a province between Syria and Asia
Minor), located about 10 miles inland from the coast of present-day Turkey. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5018.htm - 7k

510. anoterikos -- upper
... Adjective Transliteration: anoterikos Phonetic Spelling: (an-o-ter-ee-kos') Short
Definition: upper, higher-lying Definition: upper, higher-lying, inland. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/510.htm - 6k

Stations of the China Inland Mission
... STATIONS OF THE CHINA INLAND MISSION. 1900 (BEFORE THE BOXER OUTBREAK). The
best guide to the stations of the Mission is the new China ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/stations of the china inland.htm

China Inland Mission Normal Training College, Hwochow, Shansi
... CHINA INLAND MISSION NORMAL TRAINING COLLEGE, HWOCHOW, SHANSI. * * * * * SPECIMEN
QUESTIONS. (Drawn from Final Examination Papers, 1915). SCRIPTURE. ...
/.../china inland mission normal training.htm

The Mission in 1894
... THE events sketched in the last two chapters have been more fully delineated by
Miss Guinness in her interesting Story of the China Inland Mission, which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter xx the mission in.htm

A New Agency Needed
... that the long separation from China was a necessary step towards the formation of
a work which GOD would bless as He has blessed the CHINA INLAND MISSION. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter xviii a new agency.htm

With the Rev. William Burns
... of the London Mission, I was led at about this period to adopt the native costume
in preference to foreign dress, to facilitate travel and residence inland. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter xi with the rev.htm

The Fulfilment of a Dream of Pastor Hsi's
... BY A. MILDRED CABLE. Of the China Inland Mission. ... LONDON: MORGAN & SCOTT LTD.12,
PATERNOSTER BUILDINGS, EC CHINA INLAND MISSION NEWINGTON GREEN, N. MCMXVII. TO. ...
/.../cable/the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/title page.htm

The Power of Prayer
... THE following account of some of the experiences which eventually led to the formation
of the CHINA INLAND MISSION, and to its taking the form in which it has ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter i the power of.htm

On a Piece of Chalk. A Lecture to Working Men.
... 3,000 miles in long diameter"the area of which would be as great as that of Europe,
and would many times exceed that of the largest existing inland sea"the ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/ix on a piece of.htm

Called to Swatow
... When we reached Shanghai, thinking to return inland in a few days with fresh supplies
of books and money, we met a Christian captain who had been trading at ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter xii called to swatow.htm

Footnotes:
... [Footnote 3: Bound small in childhood.]. [Footnote 4: Adapted from The Lord Stood
by Me (Philadelphia: China Inland Mission, nd), pp.67-75 (out of print).]. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/williamson/have we no rights/footnotes .htm

Inland (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Within the land; remote from the ocean
or from open water; interior; as, an inland town. 2. (a ...
/i/inland.htm - 7k

Interior (5 Occurrences)
... hollow ball. 2. (a.) Remote from the limits, frontier, or shore; inland;
as, the interior parts of a region or country. 3. (n.) That ...
/i/interior.htm - 8k

Fish (66 Occurrences)
... FISH. (dagh, daghah, da'gh; ichthus, ichthudion, opsarion): 1. Natural History:
Fishes abound in the inland waters of Palestine as well as the Mediterranean. ...
/f/fish.htm - 38k

Mediterranean
... 2. (a.) Inland; remote from the ocean. ... As its name implies, it is an inland area,
united to the Atlantic only by the narrow Straits of Gibraltar. ...
/m/mediterranean.htm - 11k

Inlaid (8 Occurrences)

/i/inlaid.htm - 8k

Dead (580 Occurrences)
... The name given by Greek writers of the second century to that inland sea called
in Scripture the "salt sea" (Genesis 14:3; Numbers 34:12), the "sea of the plain ...
/d/dead.htm - 80k

Neapolis (1 Occurrence)
... in Europe (Acts 16:11). It was the sea-port of the inland town of Philippi,
which was distant about 10 miles. From this port Paul ...
/n/neapolis.htm - 9k

Ur (5 Occurrences)
... affluent from the Tigris. It was formerly a maritime city, as the waters
of the Persian Gulf reached thus far inland. Ur was the ...
/u/ur.htm - 15k

Judaea (45 Occurrences)
... The country bordering on the shores of the Dead Sea for some miles inland was known
as the Wilderness of Judea (see JUDAH; JESHIMON) (Matthew 3:1), or "the ...
/j/judaea.htm - 24k

Lycaonia (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary An inland province of Asia Minor, on the west of
Cappadocia and the south of Galatia. It was a Roman province ...
/l/lycaonia.htm - 10k

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