Phoenicia; Phoenicians
LocationsGeographical Setting
An ancient Semitic civilization centered along the eastern Mediterranean coast, renowned for maritime trade and the spread of the alphabet.
What is the meaning of Phoenicia; Phoenicians in the Bible?
Phoenicia denoted the coastal strip of the eastern Mediterranean, extending roughly from the Orontes River delta in the north to the Carmel range in the south, characterized by independent city-states rather than a unified empire.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Phoenicia clarifies the geopolitical and economic context of the Hebrew Bible, particularly regarding King Hiram's alliance with David and Solomon, the importation of cedar for the Temple, and the cultural interactions between Israel and its powerful maritime neighbors.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Phoenicia; Phoenicians in this passage?
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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.