Bible Strands
Matthew 4:15
“Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Matthew introduces Jesus’ relocation to the north by quoting Isaiah to mark the shift in ministry focus. The narrator specifies the exact territories where this prophetic fulfillment takes place.
The words — γῆ (gē) literally means "land" and is repeated to emphasize the dual tribal regions. ὁδὸν θαλάσσης (hodon thalassēs) translates to "way of the sea," naming the primary trade corridor.
The thread — This geographic list directly echoes Isaiah 9:1 regarding the humbled northern tribes. It also aligns with the tribal boundaries in Joshua 21:32 and the Assyrian campaigns noted in 2 Kings 15:29.
Why it lands — The text names specific regions to ground the subsequent claim that darkness will yield to light. It requires the reader to recognize that the coming revelation is anchored in Israel’s historical geography.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
Cross-references
- Isaiah 9:1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations:
- Joshua 21:32 And from the tribe of Naphtali they were given Kedesh in Galilee (a city of refuge for the manslayer), Hammoth-dor, and Kartan—three cities, together with their pasturelands.
- 2 Kings 15:29 In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, including all the land of Naphtali, and he took the people as captives to Assyria.
- Joshua 20:7 So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah.
- 1 Kings 9:11 King Solomon gave twenty towns in the land of Galilee to Hiram king of Tyre, who had supplied him with cedar and cypress logs and gold for his every desire.