Galileans
the inhabitants of Galilee, the northern province of Palestine. The apostles were all Galileans
by either birth or residence. (Acts 1:11) It appears also that the pronunciation of those Jews who
resided in Galilee had become peculiar, probably from their contact with their Gentile neighbors.
(Matthew 26:73)
Galilee
(circuit). This name, which in the Roman age was applied to a large province, seems to have
been originally confined to a little “circuit” of country round Kedesh-Naphtali, in which were
situated the twenty towns given by Solomon to Hiram king of Tyre as payment for his work in
conveying timber from Lebanon to Jerusalem. (Joshua 20:7; 1 Kings 9:11) In the time of our Lord
all Palestine was divided into three provinces, Judea, Samaria and Galilee. (Luke 17:11; Acts 9:31)
Joseph. B.J. iii. 3. The latter included the whole northern section of the country, including the
ancient territories of Issachar, Zebulun, Asher and Naphtali. On the west it was bounded by the
territory of Ptolemais, which probably included the whole plain of Akka to the foot of Carmel. The
southern border ran along the base of Carmel and of the hills of Samaria to Mount Gilboa, and then
descended the valley of Jezreel by Scythopolis to the Jordan. The river Jordan, the Sea of Galilee,
and the upper Jordan to the fountain at Dan, formed the eastern border; and the northern ran from
Dan westward across the mountain ridge till it touched the territory of the Phoenicians. Galilee was
divided into two sections, “Lower” and “Upper.” Lower Galilee included the great plain of Esdraelon
with its offshoots, which ran down to the Jordan and the Lake of Tiberias, and the whole of the hill
country adjoining it on the north to the foot of the mountain range. It was thus one of the richest
and most beautiful sections of Pales-tine. Upper Galilee embraced the whole mountain range lying
between the upper Jordan and Phoenicia. To this region the name “Galilee of the Gentiles” is given
in the Old and New Testaments. (Isaiah 9:1; Matthew 4:16) Galilee was the scene of the greater
part of our Lord’s private life and public acts. It is a remarkable fact that the first three Gospels are
chiefly taken up with our Lord’s ministrations in this province, while the Gospel of John dwells
more upon those in Judea. (Galilee in the time of Christ .—From Rev. Selah Merrill’s late book
(1881) with this title, we glean the following facts: Size .—It is estimated that of the 1000 square
miles in Palestine west of the Jordan, nearly one-third, almost 2000 square miles, belongs to Galilee.
Population—The population is between 2,000,000 and 3,000,000. Dr. Merrill argues for the general
correctness of Josephus’ estimates, who says there were 204 cities and villages in Galilee, the
smallest of which numbered 15,000 inhabitants. Character of the country. Galilee was a region of
great natural fertility. Such is the fertility of the soil that it rejects no plant, for the air is so genial
that it suits every variety. The walnut, which delights above other trees in a wintry climate, grows
here luxuriantly together with the palm tree, which is flourished by heat. It not only possesses the
extraordinary virtue of nourishing fruits of opposite climes, but also maintains a continual supply
of them. Here were found all the productions which made Italy rich and beautiful. Forests covered
its mountains and hills, while its uplands, gentle slopes and broader valleys were rich in pasture,
meadows, cultivated fields, vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees of every kind. Character of the
Galileans .—They were thoroughly a Jewish people. With few exceptions they were wealthy and
in general an influential class. If one should say the Jews were bigoted in religion, he should
remember at the same time that in regard to social, commercial and political relations none were
more cosmopolitan in either sentiment or practice than they. The Galileans had many manufactures,
frankie
(Frankie)
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