Although known as a sea, it is Israel's largest and world's lowest freshwater lake. The Sea of Galilee could be one of the most well-known bodies of water in the world. Mainly because, it was on these beautiful shores, Jesus delivered His sermons, gave more than half of His parables and performed most of the miracles. Jesus spent most of the three years of his ministry along the shore of this freshwater lake. In the New Testament it is commonly known as "Lake Galilee" and sometimes as "Lake Gennesaret"(Luke 5:1) or "Lake Tiberias"(John 6:1, 21:1); while in the Old Testament it is called the "Sea of Chinnereth"or "Kinnereth" (Numbers 34:11; Joshua 13:27). During the time of Christ there were at least 16 harbours on the shore of Lake Galilee. In those times it was also a big commercial center for fresh water fishing trade. Even now, more than 35 species of fish live inside the lake and bring good revenue to the fishing community.
The second-lowest lake in the world (209m below MSL) is 53 km in circumference, about 21 km long, and 13 km wide. The lake has a total area of 166 km², and a maximum depth of approximately 43 m. The shape of the lake is like a harp and this may be the reason why it is called Lake Kinneret in Israel. The Hebrew word kinnor means "harp" or "lyre". Most of its water comes from Jordan river. Today, the source of much of Israel's drinking water (i.e. one third of the country's annual consumption) is utilized from the Sea of Galilee through 'The National Water Carrier of Israel'.
The first century (AD) Jewish historian Josephus was so impressed by the Lake of Galilee that he referred it as " the ambition of nature". Here is the whole passage from William Whiston's English translation of Josephus. "The country also that lies over against this lake hath the same name of Gennesareth; its nature is wonderful as well as its beauty; its soil is so fruitful that all sorts of trees can grow upon it, and the inhabitants accordingly plant all sorts of trees there; for the temper of the air is so well mixed, that it agrees very well with those several sorts, particularly walnuts, which require the coldest air, flourish there in vast plenty; there are palm trees also, which grow best in hot air; fig trees also and olives grow near them, which yet require an air that is more temperate. One may call this place the ambition of nature, where it forces those plants that are naturally enemies to one another to agree together; it is a happy contention of the seasons, as if every one of them laid claim to this country; for it not only nourishes different sorts of autumnal fruit beyond men's expectation, but preserves them a great while; it supplies men with the principal fruits, with grapes and figs continually, during ten months of the year and the rest of the fruits as they become ripe together through the whole year; for besides the good temperature of the air, it is also watered from a most fertile fountain"(The Wars of the Jews Book III, Chapter 10, Verse 8)
The second-lowest lake in the world (209m below MSL) is 53 km in circumference, about 21 km long, and 13 km wide. The lake has a total area of 166 km², and a maximum depth of approximately 43 m. The shape of the lake is like a harp and this may be the reason why it is called Lake Kinneret in Israel. The Hebrew word kinnor means "harp" or "lyre". Most of its water comes from Jordan river. Today, the source of much of Israel's drinking water (i.e. one third of the country's annual consumption) is utilized from the Sea of Galilee through 'The National Water Carrier of Israel'.
The first century (AD) Jewish historian Josephus was so impressed by the Lake of Galilee that he referred it as " the ambition of nature". Here is the whole passage from William Whiston's English translation of Josephus. "The country also that lies over against this lake hath the same name of Gennesareth; its nature is wonderful as well as its beauty; its soil is so fruitful that all sorts of trees can grow upon it, and the inhabitants accordingly plant all sorts of trees there; for the temper of the air is so well mixed, that it agrees very well with those several sorts, particularly walnuts, which require the coldest air, flourish there in vast plenty; there are palm trees also, which grow best in hot air; fig trees also and olives grow near them, which yet require an air that is more temperate. One may call this place the ambition of nature, where it forces those plants that are naturally enemies to one another to agree together; it is a happy contention of the seasons, as if every one of them laid claim to this country; for it not only nourishes different sorts of autumnal fruit beyond men's expectation, but preserves them a great while; it supplies men with the principal fruits, with grapes and figs continually, during ten months of the year and the rest of the fruits as they become ripe together through the whole year; for besides the good temperature of the air, it is also watered from a most fertile fountain"(The Wars of the Jews Book III, Chapter 10, Verse 8)
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