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Sarepta

Locations
Modern Location Sarafa, Lebanon
Coordinates 32.8833, 35.0167

Geographical Setting

An ancient Phoenician settlement located south of Sidon, identified with the modern village of Sarafa.

What is the meaning of Sarepta in the Bible?

A Phoenician town situated south of Sidon where the prophet Elijah was directed during a famine to reside with a widow and her son.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding the geographical context of Sarafa clarifies the narrative of Elijah's ministry to a non-Israelite, highlighting the broader scope of prophetic intervention in the region.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Sarepta (located near modern Sarafa, Lebanon) 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 Sarepta in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Sarepta 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

"Sarepta." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/sarepta/
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