Gergesenes
LocationsGeographical Setting
Gergesa is a proposed site for the biblical town of the Gergesenes, located on the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, distinct from the more commonly identified site of Gadara.
What is the meaning of Gergesenes in the Bible?
Gergesa is a textual variant found in some Greek manuscripts of Matthew 8:28 and Luke 8:26, referring to the region of the Gergesenes, which modern scholarship often equates with the site of Umm Qais.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the Gergesenes variant clarifies the geographical setting of the Gerasene demoniac narrative, helping readers navigate textual differences between major biblical manuscripts and ancient historical geography.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Gergesenes in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Gergesenes 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.