Jump to: Smith's • ISBE • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In biblical terminology, the term "coast" often refers to the boundary or border of a land, particularly where it meets a body of water such as a sea or ocean. The concept of coasts is significant in the Bible, as it frequently denotes the geographical and territorial limits of the lands inhabited by various peoples and tribes. The term is used in both literal and metaphorical contexts throughout the Scriptures.Geographical Significance The coasts of the ancient Near East, particularly those of the Mediterranean Sea, played a crucial role in the history and culture of the biblical world. The coastal regions were often centers of trade, cultural exchange, and military activity. For example, the land of Canaan, which the Israelites were to inherit, included significant coastal areas that were inhabited by various peoples, including the Philistines, who were known for their maritime prowess. In the Old Testament, the term "coast" is frequently used to describe the territorial boundaries of the tribes of Israel. For instance, in Joshua 19:29, the description of the territory of the tribe of Asher includes its coastal boundary: "Then the border turned to Ramah and to the fortified city of Tyre, and turned to Hosah, and it ended at the sea by the region of Achzib" . This passage highlights the importance of coastal boundaries in defining the inheritance of the tribes. Prophetic and Symbolic Usage The prophets often used the imagery of coasts to convey messages of judgment or hope. In Isaiah 11:11, the prophet speaks of a future gathering of the remnant of Israel from various lands, including the "coasts of the sea": "On that day the Lord will extend His hand a second time to recover the remnant of His people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and from the islands of the sea" . Here, the coasts symbolize distant lands from which God will gather His people. Similarly, in Zephaniah 2:5-7, the prophet pronounces judgment on the Philistine cities along the coast: "Woe to the inhabitants of the seacoast, O nation of the Cherethites! The word of the LORD is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines: 'I will destroy you, and no one will be left.' The seacoast will become pastures, with wells for shepherds and folds for sheep" . This passage illustrates the use of coastal imagery to depict divine judgment and the transformation of the land. New Testament Context In the New Testament, the coasts continue to hold significance, particularly in the ministry of Jesus and the spread of the Gospel. Jesus often traveled to coastal regions, such as Tyre and Sidon, as recorded in Mark 7:24: "Jesus left that place and went to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know He was there, but He could not escape notice" . These coastal areas were places where Jesus performed miracles and taught, reaching both Jews and Gentiles. The coasts also played a role in the missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul. In Acts 27:2, as Paul set sail for Rome, the narrative mentions the coastal route: "We boarded an Adramyttian ship about to sail for ports along the coast of Asia, and we put out to sea" . The coastal cities were strategic locations for the spread of Christianity, serving as hubs for travel and communication. Conclusion The concept of coasts in the Bible encompasses both physical and symbolic dimensions, reflecting the geographical realities of the ancient world and the theological themes of boundary, judgment, and redemption. The coasts serve as markers of divine promise and human interaction, illustrating the dynamic relationship between God's people and the world around them. Smith's Bible Dictionary Coastborder, with no more reference to lands bordering on the sea than to any other bordering lands. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) The side of a thing.2. (n.) The exterior line, limit, or border of a country; frontier border. 3. (n.) The seashore, or land near it. 4. (n.) To draw or keep near; to approach. 5. (n.) To sail by or near the shore. 6. (n.) To sail from port to port in the same country. 7. (n.) To slide down hill; to slide on a sled, upon snow or ice. 8. (v. t.) To draw near to; to approach; to keep near, or by the side of. 9. (v. t.) To sail by or near; to follow the coast line of. 10. (v. t.) To conduct along a coast or river bank. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia COASTkost (gebhul, etc., "boundary"; compare gebhal, "mountain" and Arabic jebel, "mountain"; chebhel, literally, "a rope"; compare Arabic chabl (Joshua 19:29 the King James Version; Zechariah 2:5, 6, 7); choph, literally, "that which is washed"; compare Arabic chaffet (Joshua 9:1 the King James Version; Ezekiel 25:16); paralios, literally, "by the sea" (Luke 6:17)): "Coast" (from Latin costa, "rib" or "side") in the sense of "seacoast," occurs but a few times in the Bible. In nearly all the many passages where the King James Version has "coast," the Revised Version (British and American) correctly has "border," i.e. "boundary," translating gebhul, etc.; in Acts 27:2 the American Standard Revised Version, "coast" is the translation of topos, literally, "place." That the seacoast is but seldom mentioned arises naturally from the fact that, while the promised land extended to the sea, the coast was never effectively occupied by the Israelites. RVm in a number of places renders 'i English Versions of the Bible "isle" or "island" (which see), by "coastland," e.g. Isaiah 11:11; Isaiah 23:6; Isaiah 24:15; Isaiah 59:18 Jeremiah 25:22 Ezekiel 39:6 Daniel 11:18; Zephaniah 2:11. In Isaiah 20:6, the King James Version has "isle," the King James Version margin "country," and the Revised Version (British and American) "coast-land." In Jeremiah 47:4, the King James Version has "country," the King James Version marginand the Revised Version (British and American) "isle," and the Revised Version, margin "sea-coast." Greek 3882. paralios -- by the sea, the sea coast ... by the sea, the sea coast. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: paralios Phonetic Spelling: (par-al'-ee-os) Short Definition: on the coast Definition ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3882.htm - 6k 4950. Surtis -- "shoal," Syrtis, the name of two large sandbanks ... 3881. paralegomai -- to sail past or coast along 2834. Knidos -- Cnidus, a city on the SW coast of Asia Minor 789. Assos -- Assos, a city on the W. coast of Asia Minor 3094. Magdalene -- Magdalene, of Magdala, a place on the coast of ... 2658. katantao -- to come down to, reach 123. aigialos -- the seashore 3725. horion -- a boundary 2596. kata -- down, against, according to Strong's Hebrew 2348. choph -- shore, coast... 2347, 2348. choph. 2349 . shore, coast. Transliteration: choph Phonetic Spelling: (khofe) Short Definition: seacoast. ... coast of the sea, haven, shore, seaside ... /hebrew/2348.htm - 6k 339. i -- coast, region 6721. Tsidon -- a Phoenician city on the Mediterranean coast, also ... 5761. Avvim -- a city in Benjamin, also a people on the SW coast ... 6429. Pelesheth -- a territory on the S. Mediterranean coast of ... 1552. gelilah -- a circuit, boundary, territory, also a district ... 1366. gebul -- border, boundary, territory 1367. gebulah -- border, boundary 3027. yad -- hand 7098. qatsah -- an end Library The Coast of the Asphaltites, the Essenes. En-Gedi. A Description of the Sea-Coast, Out of Pliny and Strabo. The Northern Coast of Judea. Beth-Horon. The West Coast of Galilee-Carmel. Letter cciii. To the Bishops of the Sea Coast. The Disposition of the Tribes in Galilee. The Advance of Xerxes into Greece. From the Close of the General Conference of 1832 to the Beginning ... The City of the "Elegant Gate"[*] From the Talmud and Hebraica Thesaurus Coast (70 Occurrences)... 9. (vt) To sail by or near; to follow the coast line of. 10. (vt) To conduct along a coast or river bank. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. COAST. ... /c/coast.htm - 31k Sea-coast (5 Occurrences) Coast-land (3 Occurrences) Coast-line (2 Occurrences) Island (16 Occurrences) Outgoings (21 Occurrences) Isle (15 Occurrences) Goings (42 Occurrences) Acco (2 Occurrences) Dor (7 Occurrences) Resources Is there any truth to the Bermuda Triangle conspiracy theories? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the Philistines? | GotQuestions.org What is the Macedonian Call? | GotQuestions.org Coast: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Coast (70 Occurrences)Matthew 4:13 Luke 6:17 Acts 17:14 Acts 27:2 Acts 27:2 Acts 27:5 Acts 27:8 Acts 27:12 Acts 27:39 Exodus 10:4 Numbers 13:29 Numbers 20:23 Numbers 22:36 Numbers 24:24 Numbers 34:3 Numbers 34:6 Numbers 34:11 Deuteronomy 1:7 Deuteronomy 2:4 Deuteronomy 2:18 Deuteronomy 3:17 Deuteronomy 11:24 Deuteronomy 16:4 Deuteronomy 19:8 Joshua 1:4 Joshua 5:1 Joshua 9:1 Joshua 12:4 Joshua 12:23 Joshua 13:16 Joshua 13:25 Joshua 13:30 Joshua 15:1 Joshua 15:4 Joshua 15:12 Joshua 15:21 Joshua 15:47 Joshua 16:3 Joshua 17:7 Joshua 17:9 Joshua 18:5 Joshua 18:11 Joshua 19:22 Joshua 19:29 Joshua 19:33 Joshua 19:34 Joshua 19:41 Joshua 19:47 Judges 1:18 Judges 1:36 Judges 5:17 Judges 11:20 1 Samuel 6:9 1 Samuel 7:13 1 Samuel 27:1 1 Samuel 30:14 2 Kings 14:25 1 Chronicles 4:10 2 Chronicles 8:17 Isaiah 20:6 Isaiah 23:2 Isaiah 23:6 Jeremiah 47:7 Ezekiel 25:16 Ezekiel 26:16 Ezekiel 47:16 Ezekiel 48:1 Zephaniah 2:5 Zephaniah 2:6 Zephaniah 2:7 Subtopics Related Terms |