Sunday, January 8, 2023

Where is Capernaum?

 Matthew 4:13. And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim.  


In an effort to clarify where Capernaum is I looked at some maps.  These helped me to see why this question can be confusing.  There are maps calling the same areas different names.   For example,  the verse states that Capernaum is on the sea coast, and on the borders of Zabulon (Zebulon) and Nepthalim (Naphthali).   It sounded like they were saying possibly the Mediterranean Sea.  No, the Sea of Galilee.  Of course.  Were Zabulon and Naphthalim nearby cities?  When I located Nazareth and Capernaum there were no such cities nearby.  Finally I realized that they are two of the territories of the twelve tribes, and Capernaum is located on their borders.  Why are Nazareth and Capernaum in Galilee then?  Where is Galilee?  It isn't clear.  It appears that the area changed names.   Is there still a Capernaum?   This is hazy.  Yes, but what I kept seeing were ruins.  Is it a tourist attraction?  I think so.  There is a beautiful Greek Orthodox Church there.    






















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