Palestine in Biblical Context

1. Introduction

The land historically known as Palestine holds central significance in the biblical narrative. Often referred to in Scripture as Canaan, the Promised Land, or the land of Israel, it was the geographical setting for the majority of the events recorded in both the Old and New Testaments. While the name Palestine does not appear in the canonical Hebrew Bible, it became widely used from the Roman period onwards and continues to be used in political, historical, and theological discussions today. This article examines the term’s origins, its biblical landscape, and its continuing theological and historical significance.

2. Etymology and Historical Usage

2.1 Biblical Terminology

  • In the Hebrew Bible, the region is called Canaan, the land of Israel, or named by tribal allotments (e.g., Judah, Ephraim, Benjamin).
  • The term “Philistia” (Peleshet, from which “Palestine” is derived) refers to the south-western coastal region inhabited by the Philistines (cf. Exodus 15:14; Psalm 60:8).

2.2 Roman Renaming

  • After the Bar Kokhba revolt (135 CE), the Roman Emperor Hadrian renamed the region Syria Palaestina, likely as a political move to sever Jewish ties to the land.
  • From this point, “Palestine” became a standard Greco-Roman and later Christian term for the biblical land.

3. Biblical Geography and Regions within Palestine

3.1 Major Regions

  • Judea: Southern region, including Jerusalem and Bethlehem; centre of Jewish religious life.
  • Samaria: Central hill country, home to a mixed population and religious tension (cf. John 4).
  • Galilee: Northern region where Jesus spent much of His ministry.
  • Philistia: Coastal region inhabited by the Philistines.
  • Gilead, Bashan, and Moab: Transjordan regions east of the Jordan River.

3.2 Key Cities

  • Jerusalem: Spiritual and political capital of Israel and Judah.
  • Hebron, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Capernaum, Jericho, and Caesarea: Each with deep biblical resonance, reflecting events from patriarchal times to the apostolic era.

4. Palestine in Old Testament Theology

4.1 The Promised Land

“To your descendants I give this land…” — Genesis 15:18

  • God’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob centred on land inheritance (Genesis 12–17).
  • Under Joshua, Israel conquered the land of Canaan (Joshua 1–24).
  • The land is often portrayed as a gift from God, contingent upon covenantal faithfulness (Deut. 28).

4.2 Exile and Return

  • Disobedience led to exile from the land (2 Kings 17; 2 Kings 25).
  • Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel promised a restoration of Israel to the land (Isaiah 11:11; Ezekiel 36–37).

5. Palestine in the New Testament

5.1 Ministry of Jesus

  • Most of Jesus’ life and ministry occurred within the geographical boundaries of modern-day Palestine.
  • Key locations include Bethlehem (birth), Nazareth (upbringing), Galilee (teaching and miracles), and Jerusalem (crucifixion and resurrection).

5.2 Apostolic Missions

  • The early Church began in Jerusalem (Acts 1–2) and spread throughout Judea and Samaria before reaching the Gentile world (Acts 1:8; 8:1–4).
  • Cities like Caesarea Maritima became centres of Roman administration and Christian expansion.

6. Archaeology and Historical Continuity

6.1 Extensive Excavations

  • Sites such as Jericho, Megiddo, Hazor, Shiloh, and Beth Shemesh have yielded artifacts confirming city layouts, cultic practices, and destruction layers mentioned in Scripture.

6.2 Manuscript Discoveries

  • The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered near Qumran, include some of the oldest biblical manuscripts, illuminating Jewish scriptural understanding during the Second Temple period.

7. Theological and Eschatological Significance

7.1 Theological Symbol

  • The land of Palestine symbolises God’s covenantal faithfulness, judgment, and restoration.
  • It is typologically linked to heavenly inheritance in Christian theology (cf. Hebrews 11:8–16).

7.2 Eschatology

  • Prophecies concerning Zion, Jerusalem, and the land remain central to Christian, Jewish, and Islamic eschatological visions (e.g., Zechariah 14; Revelation 21).

8. Modern Perspectives and Debates

8.1 Political Complexities

  • Modern use of the term “Palestine” intersects with the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, raising complex theological and ethical questions about land, identity, and justice.

8.2 Christian Presence

  • Palestinian Christians, descendants of early Christian communities, continue to worship and witness in places like Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Nazareth.

9. Conclusion

Though the term “Palestine” is not used in the Bible itself, the land it describes is the primary setting for the biblical drama—from the call of Abraham to the birth of the Church. Theologically, it represents covenant, inheritance, exile, redemption, and ultimately, the Kingdom of God. While contemporary meanings of Palestine involve political and national discourse, its biblical identity remains rooted in the divine story of revelation and redemption.

Key Takeaways

  • “Palestine” as a term gained prominence after 135 CE; biblically, the land is known as Canaan, Israel, or the Promised Land.
  • Central biblical events occurred within its borders, from Abraham to Jesus.
  • The land has theological significance tied to covenant, faithfulness, and eschatological hope.
  • Modern usage of the term intersects with complex political, cultural, and theological issues.

References

  • Genesis 12–17; Deuteronomy 28; Ezekiel 36–37; Acts 1–2; Hebrews 11
  • Brown, F. et al. (1906). Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament
  • Ben-Dov, M. (1985). Historical Atlas of Jerusalem
  • Wright, G. E. (1962). Biblical Archaeology
  • Brueggemann, W. (2002). The Land: Place as Gift, Promise, and Challenge in Biblical Faith
  • Raheb, M. (2014). Faith in the Face of Empire
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