Coast
LocationsGeographical Setting
The coastal region along the Mediterranean Sea bordering the ancient territories of Canaan and Israel.
What is the meaning of Coast in the Bible?
The Hebrew term for coast (saph) denotes the edge or boundary of the land, specifically the littoral zone adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea. While the Israelites inhabited the central highlands, the coastal plain was predominantly controlled by Philistine and Phoenician city-states, making the coast a distinct geopolitical and cultural frontier rather than a core Israelite settlement area.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the coastal region as a distinct geopolitical frontier clarifies the biblical narrative's focus on the central highlands and explains the frequent conflicts and cultural exchanges between Israelite tribes and their maritime neighbors.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Coast in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Coast clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.