Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the term "regions" refers to geographical areas that hold historical, theological, and cultural significance within the narrative of the Scriptures. These regions often serve as the backdrop for key events in the biblical narrative and are integral to understanding the context of various passages.
1. Regions of the Ancient Near East:The Bible frequently mentions regions within the Ancient Near East, a cradle of early civilization and the setting for much of the Old Testament. Key regions include:
·
Mesopotamia: Often referred to as the "land between the rivers," Mesopotamia is the region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. It is the birthplace of Abraham, as noted in
Genesis 11:31, "Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot (son of Haran), and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan."
·
Canaan: The Promised Land given to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is a region of great significance, as it is the land where the Israelites settled after their exodus from Egypt.
Genesis 12:5 states, "And Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated, and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there."
·
Egypt: A powerful kingdom in the ancient world, Egypt is frequently mentioned in the Bible as a place of refuge and bondage. The Israelites' enslavement and subsequent exodus from Egypt are central themes in the book of Exodus.
2. Regions of the New Testament:The New Testament introduces additional regions that are significant to the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and the early church:
·
Galilee: A region in northern Israel where Jesus spent much of His ministry. It is noted for being the location of many of His miracles and teachings.
Matthew 4:23 records, "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people."
·
Judea: The southern region of ancient Israel, encompassing Jerusalem, the spiritual and political center of Jewish life. It is the setting for many pivotal events, including the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
·
Samaria: Located between Galilee and Judea, Samaria was home to the Samaritans, a group often at odds with the Jews. Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well, as recorded in
John 4, highlights the breaking of social barriers.
·
Asia Minor: Modern-day Turkey, this region was significant in the spread of early Christianity. The Apostle Paul traveled extensively through Asia Minor, establishing churches and spreading the gospel.
Acts 19:10 notes, "This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks."
3. Symbolic and Theological Significance:Regions in the Bible are not only geographical but also carry symbolic and theological meanings. For instance, the wilderness is often a place of testing and revelation, as seen in the Israelites' journey and Jesus' temptation. The Promised Land symbolizes God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises.
Understanding the regions mentioned in the Bible enhances comprehension of the historical and cultural context of biblical events, providing deeper insight into the narrative and its theological implications.
Greek
3313. meros -- a part, share, portion ... 2), group (1), individually (1), part (11), partial (2), partially (1), parts (3),
party (1), piece (1), place (3), portion (1),
regions (1), respect (1
... 5117. topos -- a place
... a place NASB Word Usage areas (1), locality (1), occasion (1), opportunity (2),
parts (1), passenger* (1), place (75), places (6), reef (1), regions (1), room ...
2824. klima -- a region
... division, district, or territory. Word Origin from klino Definition a region
NASB Word Usage regions (3). part, region. From klino; a ...
5561. chora -- a space, place, land
... Word Origin a prim. word Definition a space, place, land NASB Word Usage
country (15), fields (2), land (4), region (6), regions (1). ...
Strong's Hebrew
5682. Abarim -- "regions beyond," a mountainous region North of ...... Abarim. 5683 . "
regions beyond," a mountainous region North of the Dead Sea.
Transliteration: Abarim Phonetic Spelling: (ab-aw-reem') Short Definition: Abarim
... 1552. gelilah -- a circuit, boundary, territory, also a district ...
... Word Origin from galal Definition a circuit, boundary, territory, also a district
in Pal. NASB Word Usage Galilee (1), region (3), regions (2). ...
5780. Uts -- a son of Aram, also a son of Nahor, also an Edomite ...
... NASB Word Usage Uz (8). Uz. Apparently from uwts; consultation; Uts, a son of Aram,
also a Seirite, and the regions settled by them. -- Uz. see HEBREW uwts. ...
5676. eber -- region across or beyond, side
... region across or beyond, side NASB Word Usage across (10), across* (3), beside
(1), beyond (33), beyond* (12), next* (1), other side (8), regions beyond (1 ...
2341. Chavilah -- a son of Cush, also a son of Joktan, also ...
... Havilah. Probably from chuwl; circular; Chavilah, the name of two or three eastern
regions; also perhaps of two men -- Havilah. see HEBREW chuwl. 2340, 2341. ...
Library
To the Regions Beyond
... THE ACTS CHAP. XIII TO END TO THE REGIONS BEYOND. 'Now there were in the
church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers ...
Over Trackless Regions,
... HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH Over trackless regions,. 6,5,6,5,6,5. Over trackless regions,.
From the Morning land,. Bearing costly treasures,. Came a seeking band" ...
The Sinister Deities Preside Over the Regions on the Left Hand ...
... Book IV. 5 The sinister deities preside over the regions on the left
hand only? The sinister deities preside over the regions ...
In the Regions Beyond
... Lesson 21 In the Regions Beyond. [This chapter is based on Acts 16:7-40.] The time
had come for the gospel to be proclaimed beyond the confines of Asia Minor. ...
Of the Error of the Poets, and the Return of the Soul from the ...
... The Divine Institutes. Book VII. Of a Happy Life. Chap. XXII."Of the Error of
the Poets, and the Return of the Soul from the Lower Regions. ...
Omnipotence Creates Good Things Differing in Degree. In Every ...
... in Degree. In Every Description Whatsoever of the Junction of the Two Regions
There is Either Impropriety or Absurdity. 27. If, then ...
We have Likewise Learned that in the Regions of Armenia and in ...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon LVI. We have likewise learned that
in the regions of Armenia and in other places certain? ...
"There was Also an Illustrious Name of Another Anchorite in those ...
... Dialogues of Sulpitius Severus. Chapter XVI. "There was also an illustrious
name of another anchorite in those regions? "There ...
But Let us Agree, as You Wish, that There are Both Infernal ...
... Book VII. 20 But let us agree, as you wish, that there are both infernal
regions and Manes? But let us agree, as you wish, that ...
How when Abbot Pinufius was Brought Back to his Monastery He ...
... How when Abbot Pinufius was brought back to his monastery he stayed there for a
little while and then fled again into the regions of Syrian Palestine. ...
Thesaurus
Regions (22 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Regions (22 Occurrences).
... They were all scattered abroad
throughout the
regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles.
...Geliloth (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Circles; regions, a place in the border of Benjamin (Joshua
18:17); called Gilgal in 15:7. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GELILOTH. ...
Wanderings (7 Occurrences)
... won'-der-ingz: I. CONDITIONS 1. The Wilderness 2. Four Separate Regions Included
3. "The Sandy Tract" 4. Description of the Arabah 5. Physical Condition of the ...
Agriculture
... On the coastal plains and in the low Jordan valley the soil was usually rich and
the season was early, whereas the mountainous regions and high interior plains ...
Geology
... GEOLOGY OF PALESTINE. je-ol'-o-ji, The geology of Palestine cannot be discussed
intelligently without taking into consideration the surrounding regions. ...
Infernal (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) of or pertaining to or suitable for the lower regions, inhabited, according
to the ancients, by the dead; pertaining to Pluto's realm of the dead, the ...
Fig-tree (33 Occurrences)
... and other useful plants. Fig-trees are cultivated all over the Holy Land,
especially in the mountain regions. Wild fig-trees-usually ...
Figtree
... and other useful plants. Fig-trees are cultivated all over the Holy Land,
especially in the mountain regions. Wild fig-trees-usually ...
Philistia (12 Occurrences)
... 8 (Hebrew 10); 87:4), 'erets pelishtim, "land of the Philistines" (Genesis 21:32,
34), geloth hapelishtim; Septuagint ge ton Phulistieim, "the regions of the ...
Country
... 2. (adv.) Rural regions, as opposed to a city or town. 3. (n.) The inhabitants
or people of a state or a region; the populace; the public. ...
Resources
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