Phoenice, also known as Phoenicia, was an ancient region located along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, primarily in what is now modern-day Lebanon, with parts extending into Syria and northern Israel. This area was known for its significant role in ancient trade and commerce, as well as its contributions to the spread of the alphabet and maritime navigation.

Geographical Context

Phoenice was strategically positioned along the Mediterranean, bordered by the mountains of Lebanon to the east and the sea to the west. This location facilitated its development as a hub of trade and cultural exchange. The major cities of Phoenice included Tyre, Sidon, and Byblos, each of which played a crucial role in the region's economic and political life.

Historical Significance

The Phoenicians were renowned for their skills in shipbuilding and navigation, which enabled them to establish trade networks across the Mediterranean. They traded goods such as purple dye, glass, and timber, which were highly valued in the ancient world. The Phoenician alphabet, a precursor to Greek and Latin scripts, was one of their most enduring contributions, significantly influencing written communication in the ancient world.

Biblical References

Phoenice is mentioned in the New Testament, particularly in the context of the Apostle Paul's missionary journeys. In Acts 11:19, the Berean Standard Bible notes, "Meanwhile those scattered by the persecution that began with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message only to Jews." This passage highlights the spread of early Christianity to Phoenice as believers fled persecution in Jerusalem.

Additionally, Acts 15:3 records, "Sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, recounting the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy to all the brothers." This indicates that Phoenice was part of the early Christian mission field, where the message of the Gospel was shared and received with joy.

Cultural and Religious Influence

The Phoenicians were polytheistic, worshiping a pantheon of gods and goddesses, with Baal and Astarte being among the most prominent. Their religious practices and deities occasionally influenced neighboring cultures, including the Israelites, as seen in various Old Testament accounts where the worship of Baal is mentioned as a recurring issue for the Israelites.

Despite their pagan practices, the interaction between the Phoenicians and the Israelites was not solely adversarial. The Bible records instances of cooperation, such as the alliance between King Hiram of Tyre and King Solomon, which facilitated the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 5:1-12).

Legacy

The legacy of Phoenice is evident in its contributions to language, trade, and cultural exchange in the ancient world. Its influence extended far beyond its geographical boundaries, leaving a lasting impact on subsequent civilizations. The spread of the Phoenician alphabet and their maritime prowess are testaments to their enduring legacy in human history.PHOENICE

fe-ni'-se (Phoinix).

See PHOENIX.

5403. Phoinike -- Phoenicia, a region North of Galilee
... Phoenicia. From phoinix; palm-country; Phoenice (or Phoenicia), a region of Palestine --
Phenice, Phenicia. see GREEK phoinix. (phoiniken) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5403.htm - 6k

A Description of the Sea-Coast, Out of Pliny and Strabo.
... Then begins Phoenice." And chapter 19: "We must go back to the coast, and Phoenice. ...
And then begins Phoenice." The sum is two hundred and fifty-four miles. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 10 a description of.htm

Galilee
... There is also the coast of Tiberias, and the valley." "Phoenice and Syria compass
both Galilees, both the upper and the nether, so called. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 59 galilee.htm

The Phoenix
... Full of years, she directs her swift flight into Syria, to which Venus herself has
given the name of Phoenice; [2031] and through trackless deserts she seeks ...
/.../lactantius/of the manner in which the persecutors died/the phoenix.htm

Laymen Called to the Field of Missions.
... They propagated the Gospel throughout Judea and Samaria; and some of them travelled
as far as Phoenice and Cyprus, and laid the foundation of the church at ...
/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter v laymen called to.htm

From the Nineteenth Chapter.
... Because from the sea of the north, which is the Arabian Sea, even to the sea of
Phoenice, and even to the ends of the earth, they will command these greater ...
/.../from the nineteenth chapter.htm

Acts xiii. 4, 5
... been sown already. In Antioch there were (teachers) enough, and Phoenice
too was near to Palestine; but Cyprus not so. However, you ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxviii acts xiii 4.htm

The West Coast of Galilee-Carmel.
... Hence Josephus, "Phoenice and Syria do compass the two Galilees, the upper and the
nether so called: and Ptolemais and Carmel set bounds to the country on the ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 63 the west coast.htm

The Forged Acts.
... the time of Hadrian (according to Spruner-Menke), or of Severus (according to Mommsen),
was the capital of the newly formed province of Syria-Phoenice, or Syro ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/church history/chapter v the forged acts.htm

General Notes by the American Editor
... The Mediterranean, near Mount Carmel, is "the sea of Phoenice," I:suppose: but how
the Arabian Gulf can be called the sea of the north, I do not comprehend. ...
/.../general notes by the american.htm

The Personal History of Herod - the Two Worlds in Jerusalem.
... supervened. Herod had to cede to Cleopatra the districts of Phoenice and Philistia,
and that of Jericho with its rich balsam plantations. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ii the personal history.htm

Phoenice (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia PHOENICE. fe-ni'-se (Phoinix). See PHOENIX.
Multi-Version Concordance Phoenice (1 Occurrence). ...
/p/phoenice.htm - 6k

Phoebe (1 Occurrence)

/p/phoebe.htm - 9k

Counselled (26 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:12 And the harbour being ill adapted to winter in, the most counselled to
set sail thence, if perhaps they might reach Phoenice to winter in, a port of ...
/c/counselled.htm - 14k

Adapted (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 27:12 And the harbour being ill adapted to winter in, the most counselled to
set sail thence, if perhaps they might reach Phoenice to winter in, a port of ...
/a/adapted.htm - 6k

Perhaps (89 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:12 And the harbour being ill adapted to winter in, the most counselled to
set sail thence, if perhaps they might reach Phoenice to winter in, a port of ...
/p/perhaps.htm - 34k

Counsel (192 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:12 And the harbour being ill adapted to winter in, the most counselled to
set sail thence, if perhaps they might reach Phoenice to winter in, a port of ...
/c/counsel.htm - 39k

Sail (32 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:12 And the harbour being ill adapted to winter in, the most counselled to
set sail thence, if perhaps they might reach Phoenice to winter in, a port of ...
/s/sail.htm - 17k

Ill (137 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:12 And the harbour being ill adapted to winter in, the most counselled to
set sail thence, if perhaps they might reach Phoenice to winter in, a port of ...
/i/ill.htm - 35k

Phoenicia (6 Occurrences)

/p/phoenicia.htm - 40k

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