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Mediterranean Sea

Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia

—the sea bounded by Europe, Asia, and Africa and joined to the Atlantic through the Strait of Gibraltar. Scripture calls it the Great Sea, the Western Sea, and the Sea of the Philistines (Num. 34:6; Exod. 23:31; Josh. 15:12; 19:29). It formed Canaan’s western boundary. Israel’s maritime activity was limited in comparison with that of Phoenician Tyre and Sidon, though Solomon and later kings used ports and foreign partners for trade.

Scripture cited

Numbers 34:6 Exodus 23:31 Joshua 15:12

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