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Gergesa

Locations
Modern Location Kursi National Park, Israel
Coordinates 32.8067, 35.6333

Geographical Setting

An ancient settlement on the southeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, identified with the site of the Gadarene demoniac narrative.

What is the meaning of Gergesa in the Bible?

Gergesa is an ancient settlement located on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, widely identified by scholars with the site of Kursi, corresponding to the Gadarene or Gerasene region described in the Synoptic Gospels.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding the geography of Gergesa clarifies the narrative context of Jesus crossing the sea to a Gentile region, emphasizing the expansion of his ministry beyond Jewish borders and the cultural tensions inherent in the encounter with the demoniac.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Gergesa (located near modern Kursi National Park, Israel) held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Gergesa in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Gergesa 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.

How to Cite This Entry

"Gergesa." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/gergesa/
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