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BETHSAIDA

(Gk. Bēthsaïdá)

A city located 3 km. (1.7 mi.) NNE of the mouth of the Jordan River on the Sea of Galilee. It was home to the apostles Peter, Andrew, and Philip (John 1:44; 12:21). The abundance of game and fish inhabiting the nearby plains and waters is responsible for the name Bethsaida, which means “house of the hunter/fisherman.”

Josephus reports that sometime before 2 b.c.e. under the tetrarch Philip Herod, Bethsaida’s status increased to that of a polis and was renamed Bethsaida Julias after the Emperor Augustus’ daughter (Ant. 18.2.1). Philip is also said to be entombed at Bethsaida (Ant. 18.4.6).

Several miracles in Jesus’ ministry are reported to have occurred at or near Bethsaida, such as the feeding of 5000 (Mark 6:30-44), Jesus’ walking on water (6:45-52), and the healing of a blind man (8:22-26). Nevertheless, the inhabitants of Bethsaida appear to remain largely unmoved by these wonders, as the city is cursed by Jesus along with Chorazin for not heeding his message (Matt. 11:21-22).

Excavations on the mound of Bethsaida, modern et-Tell (208255), began in 1987 and have unearthed many remains dating from Iron II to the early Roman period, including several fishing implements such as anchors, hooks, and net weights.

Bibliography. R. Arav and R. Freund, eds., Bethsaida (Kirksville, Mo., 1995).

Michael M. Homan

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

BETHSAIDA

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)