The term "seacoast" in the Bible refers to the coastal regions bordering seas or large bodies of water. These areas were significant in biblical times for trade, travel, and cultural exchange. The seacoast regions mentioned in the Bible often played crucial roles in the historical and spiritual narratives of the Israelites and their neighbors.

Geographical Significance

The seacoast of the Mediterranean Sea, known as the Great Sea in biblical texts, was particularly important. This area included the coastal lands of Philistia, Phoenicia, and parts of Israel. The Philistine cities such as Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ashdod were located along this seacoast, as were the Phoenician cities of Tyre and Sidon. These cities were known for their maritime prowess and trade networks.

Biblical References

1. Philistine Coast: The Philistines, who were often in conflict with the Israelites, inhabited the coastal region. In Zephaniah 2:5-6 , the prophet declares judgment upon the Philistine seacoast: "Woe to the inhabitants of the seacoast, O nation of the Cherethites! The word of the LORD is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines: 'I will destroy you, and no one will be left.' The seacoast will become pastures, with wells for shepherds and folds for sheep."

2. Phoenician Cities: The cities of Tyre and Sidon were prominent seaports in ancient Phoenicia. These cities are frequently mentioned in the Bible for their wealth and influence. In Ezekiel 27, Tyre is described as a merchant city of great renown, trading with many nations.

3. Israelite Territory: The tribe of Asher was allotted land along the northern seacoast of Israel. Although the tribe did not fully drive out the Canaanite inhabitants, the region was part of the Promised Land. Joshua 19:24-31 outlines the boundaries of Asher's inheritance, which included coastal cities.

Cultural and Economic Impact

The seacoast regions were vital for economic activities, particularly trade. The Phoenicians, known for their seafaring skills, established trade routes across the Mediterranean, spreading goods and cultural influences. The Israelites, though not primarily a seafaring people, engaged in trade with these coastal nations, as seen in the reign of Solomon, who partnered with Hiram of Tyre to build ships (1 Kings 9:26-28).

Prophetic and Eschatological Themes

The seacoast is also a setting for prophetic declarations and eschatological visions. Prophets like Isaiah and Zephaniah spoke of the downfall of coastal cities due to their pride and idolatry. Isaiah 23 prophesies the fall of Tyre, a city renowned for its wealth and influence, as a demonstration of God's sovereignty over the nations.

Spiritual Lessons

The biblical references to the seacoast serve as reminders of God's control over all lands and peoples. The judgments pronounced upon the coastal cities highlight the consequences of pride and disobedience, while the restoration promises reflect God's mercy and faithfulness to His covenant people. The seacoast, as a place of interaction between different cultures and nations, underscores the biblical theme of God's universal dominion and the call for all nations to acknowledge Him.(n.) The shore or border of the land adjacent to the sea or ocean. Also used adjectively.2348. choph -- shore, coast
... 2347, 2348. choph. 2349 . shore, coast. Transliteration: choph Phonetic
Spelling: (khofe) Short Definition: seacoast. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/2348.htm - 6k

2256a. chebel -- cord, territory, band
... 2), line (4), lines (2), measurement (1), measuring line (1), noose (1), portion
(3), portions (2), region (5), rope (1), ropes (7), seacoast* (2), tackle (1). ...
/hebrew/2256a.htm - 5k

3220. yam -- sea
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition sea NASB Word Usage red* (24), sea
(278), seacoast* (5), seas (27), seashore (1), seashore* (9), south (1), west ...
/hebrew/3220.htm - 6k

At the Foot of the Bamboos
... Thus on entering the harbor from Quemoy and other islands, near the mouth of the
harbor or from the cities and villages on the seacoast, the first foreign ...
//christianbookshelf.org/fagg/forty years in south china/v at the foot of.htm

The Story of the Angel by the Altar
... Far up in the north, at the foot of snowy Mount Hermon, was another Caesarea; but
so that it might not be confused with Caesarea upon the seacoast this city ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of the angel.htm

Pride of Prosperity
... Kings 9:16. This city Solomon rebuilt and thus apparently greatly strengthened
his kingdom along the Mediterranean seacoast. But in ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 3 pride of prosperity.htm

The Murderous Rejection.
... This time His withdrawal is clear out of the Jewish territory, far up north to the
vicinity of Tyre and Sidon, on the seacoast, and there He attempts to remain ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks about jesus/the murderous rejection.htm

Caesarea. Strato's Tower.
... For between Dori and Joppa, in the middle of which this city lay, it happened
that all the seacoast was destitute of havens, &c. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 57 caesarea stratos tower.htm

The Epistle to the Philippians.
... in a fertile region, with contiguous gold and silver mines, on the banks of a small
river and the highway between Asia and Europe, ten miles from the seacoast. ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 97 the epistle to.htm

Jesus Heals Multitudes Beside the Sea of Galilee.
... Tyre and Sidon were Phoenician cities on the Mediterranean seacoast, westward from
the Lake of Galilee.] ^a and he healed them all, 16 and charged them that ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xl jesus heals multitudes beside.htm

On God and his Perfections
... Him as it were? There are some birds that build their nests on the sides
of great rocky precipices by the seacoast. Their eggs are ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 2 on god and.htm

Laboring under Difficulties
... When Paul first visited Corinth, he found himself among a people who were suspicious
of the motives of strangers. The Greeks on the seacoast were keen traders. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 33 laboring under difficulties.htm

The "Little Knife" Insurrection
... in that city. Chinchew is an important city near the seacoast, about one-third
of the way from Amoy to Foochow. The suggestion concerning ...
/.../fagg/forty years in south china/vi the little knife insurrection.htm

Seacoast (7 Occurrences)
... (n.) The shore or border of the land adjacent to the sea or ocean. Also used
adjectively. Multi-Version Concordance Seacoast (7 Occurrences). ...
/s/seacoast.htm - 8k

Coast (70 Occurrences)
... Version; Ezekiel 25:16); paralios, literally, "by the sea" (Luke 6:17)): "Coast"
(from Latin costa, "rib" or "side") in the sense of "seacoast," occurs but a ...
/c/coast.htm - 31k

Great (10383 Occurrences)
... He began his march southward along the seacoast of Syria toward Egypt,
a country that had always impressed the Greek imagination. ...
/g/great.htm - 35k

Philistines (224 Occurrences)
... 5. History in the Old Testament until Death of Saul: The Philistines conquered the
"downs" (geliloth, Joel 3:4) near the seacoast, and were so powerful at the ...
/p/philistines.htm - 75k

Zemarite (2 Occurrences)
... The name probably survives in that of Sumra, a village on the seacoast between
Tripolis and Ruwad, about 1 1/2 miles North of Nahr el-Kebir. ...
/z/zemarite.htm - 8k

Judaea (45 Occurrences)
... The seacoast also as far north as Ptolemais (`Akka), except Jamnia, Joppa and
(according to the Talm) Caesarea, belonged to this province. ...
/j/judaea.htm - 24k

Tarsus (5 Occurrences)
... Minor. It lay on both banks of the river Cydnus, in the midst of a fertile
alluvial plain, some 10 miles from the seacoast. About ...
/t/tarsus.htm - 30k

Tripolis
... Its position on the Phoenician seacoast, with easy access to the interior,
gave it many advantages from the commercial point of view. ...
/t/tripolis.htm - 7k

Rameses (5 Occurrences)
... of Past, Old Series, VI, 11) gives an Egyptian letter describing the "city of
Rameses-Miamun," which appears to be Zoan, since it was on the seacoast. ...
/r/rameses.htm - 13k

Raamses (1 Occurrence)
... of Past, Old Series, VI, 11) gives an Egyptian letter describing the "city of
Rameses-Miamun," which appears to be Zoan, since it was on the seacoast. ...
/r/raamses.htm - 10k

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