The Sea of Galilee

A voyage on the Sea of Galilee will be one of the activities during our 14 day trip to the Holy Land in May 2018. This body of water, also known as Lake Kinneret, Sea of Ginosar, or Lake Tiberias is a large freshwater body which was gone out upon frequently by Jesus and his disciples. Lake Kinneret was an oasis along a route used by ancient travelers through the land. An excursion on the Sea of Galilee is a highlight for many travelers to Israel.

The Sea of Galilee from Ginosar

The Sea of Galilee is a very wide spot in the Jordan River basin.  The river enters on the north side of the Sea near Bethsaida and exits on the south side of the sea near Kinneret. Within the pool of Tiberias, the collected water is 13 miles long and 8 miles wide. The level of the water sits at 700 feet below sea level, with a water depth which reaches 140 feet. The basin is made largely of basalt rock which can be picked up from the bottom as smooth stones.

The Sea of Galilee from Maagan Holiday Village

Lake Kinneret sits along the main trade route from Mesopotamia to Egypt. Caravans would have traveled along the Euphrates river, across the desert near Damascus, down the Hula Valley, and through Galilee to the Horns of Hattin and the Jezreel Valley. Settlement in the area has existed since prehistoric times with the archeological site of Ohalo at the southern end of the lake being called “one of the best preserved hunter-gatherer archaeological sites of the Last Glacial Maximum.”

The Sea of Galilee from the East

During New Testament times, the Sea of Galilee was known for its fishing industry. Josephus records that as many as 230 fishing vessels sailed on the lake daily. We know the names of several fishermen from the New Testament including Peter, James, John, Andrew, and Zebedee. They caught a variety of fish including Musht, Biny, and Sardine.4

The Jesus Boat at Ginosar

On our trip we will visit the museum at Kibbutz Ginosar, where we will see “the Jesus Boat,” a fishing vessel which dates to the time of Jesus. This boat, made from twelve types of wood, is in good condition for its age. We will watch a video detailing its recovery and see the site where this boat was found.

The Jesus Boat at Ginosar

During our voyage on the Sea of Galilee, we will become acquainted with the surrounding villages as seen from the sea. We will enjoy watching windsurfing and other sailing endeavors from our boat. We will hear about the storms often stirred up because of the unique geography of the region and we will be told the story of how Jesus calmed the sea.

Looking north from a boat on the Sea of Galilee

The journey on the Sea of Galilee will help us visualize where a major portion of the Gospels took place. Throughout this journey we will not only walk where Jesus walked, but we will also ride a boat atop the lake where he often sailed. To find out more about the trip, click this link. To sign up for the trip click here. I hope you will travel with us during our 14 day trip to the Holy Land in May 2018.