Phenicia
LocationsGeographical Setting
Phoenicia was an ancient maritime civilization located along the eastern Mediterranean coast, renowned for its purple dye, cedar timber, and extensive trade networks.
What is the meaning of Phenicia in the Bible?
Phoenicia denotes the coastal strip of the eastern Mediterranean, encompassing parts of modern-day Lebanon and Syria, which served as the heartland for the Phoenician city-states during the Iron Age.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Phoenicia clarifies the logistical and economic context of biblical narratives involving King Hiram of Tyre, the transport of cedar for Solomon's Temple, and the spread of alphabetic writing systems that influenced later Hebrew and Greek texts.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Phenicia in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Phenicia clarify?
Related Topics
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.