Jump to: Hitchcock's • Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Geographical Location: Magdala, known in Hebrew as Migdal, meaning "tower" or "fortress," is a town located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. It is situated between Capernaum and Tiberias, in the region of Galilee, which was a significant area during the ministry of Jesus Christ. The town is often identified with the modern-day site of Migdal, near the city of Tiberias in Israel. Biblical Significance: Magdala is most famously known as the hometown of Mary Magdalene, one of the prominent female followers of Jesus Christ. Mary Magdalene is mentioned in all four Gospels as a devoted disciple who was present at the crucifixion and the first to witness the resurrected Christ. The Gospel of Luke introduces her as a woman from whom Jesus cast out seven demons (Luke 8:2: "and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out"). Historical Context: During the time of Jesus, Magdala was a thriving fishing village, known for its fish processing industry. The town's economy was largely based on fishing and trade, benefiting from its strategic location along the Sea of Galilee. Archaeological excavations have uncovered a first-century synagogue in Magdala, which is one of the oldest synagogues discovered in Israel, indicating the town's religious and cultural significance during the Second Temple period. Cultural and Religious Influence: Magdala's association with Mary Magdalene has made it a site of considerable interest for Christian pilgrims and scholars. Mary Magdalene's role as a witness to the resurrection underscores the importance of women in the early Christian community. Her transformation from a woman afflicted by demons to a devoted follower of Christ exemplifies the redemptive power of Jesus' ministry. Archaeological Discoveries: Recent archaeological efforts have brought to light significant findings in Magdala, including the Magdala Stone, a unique artifact believed to be a representation of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. The discovery of the synagogue, along with ritual baths (mikva'ot) and other artifacts, provides valuable insights into the religious practices and daily life of the Jewish community in the first century. Theological Implications: Magdala serves as a reminder of the transformative impact of Jesus' ministry. The town's connection to Mary Magdalene highlights themes of redemption, healing, and the inclusive nature of the Gospel message. Her account is a testament to the profound change that faith in Christ can bring to an individual's life, regardless of their past. References in Scripture: While Magdala itself is not frequently mentioned in the Bible, its association with Mary Magdalene ensures its place in the Gospel narratives. The town's historical and cultural context enriches the understanding of the environment in which Jesus conducted His ministry and the diverse backgrounds of His followers. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary MagdalaSmith's Bible Dictionary Magdala(a tower). The chief MSS. and versions exhibit the name as MAGADAN, as in the Revised Version. Into the limits of Magadan Christ came by boat, over the Lake of Gennesareth after his miracle of feeding the four thousand on the Mountain of the eastern side, (Matthew 15:39) and from thence he returned in the same boat to the opposite shore. In the parallel narrative of St. Mark, ch. (Mark 8:10) we find the "parts of Dalmanutha," on the western edge of the Lake of Gennesareth. The Magdala, which conferred her name on "Mary the Magdalene one of the numerous migdols, i.e. towers, which stood in Palestine, was probably the place of that name which is mentioned in the Jerusalem Talmud as near Tiberias, and this again is as probably the modern el-Mejdel , a miserable little Muslim village, of twenty huts on the water's edge at the southeast corner of the plain of Gennesareth. It is now the only inhabited place on this plain. ATS Bible Dictionary MagdalaThe ancient Migdal-el in the border of Naphtali, Joshua 19:38; now a small Turkish village called Medjel. It lay near the shore of the Sea of Galilee, at its most westerly point, three miles northwest of Tiberias; in the southern part of a small plain on which stood also Capernaum at the other end, and Dalmanutha in its immediate vicinity, Matthew 15:39; Mark 8:10. Mary Magdalene was born, or resided, at Magdala; and it was the seat of a Jewish school after Jerusalem was destroyed. Easton's Bible Dictionary A tower, a town in Galilee, mentioned only in Matthew 15:39. In the parallel passage in Mark 8:10 this place is called Dalmanutha. It was the birthplace of Mary called the Magdalen, or Mary Magdalene. It was on the west shore of the Lake of Tiberias, and is now probably the small obscure village called el-Mejdel, about 3 miles north-west of Tiberias. In the Talmud this city is called "the city of colour," and a particular district of it was called "the tower of dyers." The indigo plant was much cultivated here. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (a.) Designating an orange-red dyestuff obtained from naphthylamine, and called magdala red, naphthalene red, etc.International Standard Bible Encyclopedia MAGDALAmag'-da-la. Greek 3094. Magdalene -- Magdalene, of Magdala, a place on the coast of ... ... Magdalene, of Magdala, a place on the coast of the Sea of Galilee near Tiberias. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Magdalene Phonetic Spelling ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3094.htm - 6k 3093. Magadan -- Magadan, an unidentified place near the Sea of ... 3137. Maria -- Mary, the name of several Christian women 1148. Dalmanoutha -- Dalmanutha, an unidentified place near the ... Library Magdala Mary of Magdala. Third Withdrawal from Herod's Territory. The Ministry of Love, the Blasphemy of Hatred, and the Mistakes of ... The Cavils of the Pharisees Concerning Purification, and the ... Some Other Towns Near Tiberias. Beth-Meon. Caphar Chittaia. ... Jesus' Feet Anointed in the House of a Pharisee. Jesus Conquers Death Jesus is Crucified by his Enemies Return of the Apostles. --Miraculous Feeding of the Five Thousand. ... Thesaurus Magdala (13 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (a.) Designating an orange-red dyestuff obtained from naphthylamine, and called magdala red, naphthalene red, etc. Int. ...MAGDALA. ... /m/magdala.htm - 11k Magadan (1 Occurrence) Dalmanutha (1 Occurrence) Magdalene (12 Occurrences) Mary (50 Occurrences) Vicinity (18 Occurrences) Various (52 Occurrences) Zabdi (17 Occurrences) Johanna (1 Occurrence) Got (764 Occurrences) Resources Who was Mary Magdalene? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of the Sea of Galilee in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org How many Marys are in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Magdala: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Magdala (13 Occurrences)Matthew 15:39 Matthew 27:56 Matthew 27:61 Matthew 28:1 Mark 15:40 Mark 15:47 Mark 16:1 Mark 16:9 Luke 8:2 Luke 24:10 John 19:25 John 20:1 John 20:18 Subtopics Related Terms |