"also spelled Βηθσαϊδάν (G1035) Bethsaida, indecl. (1) A city of Galilee, Mt. 11:21; Mk. 6:45,. (2) A city of Lower Gaulanitis, near the Lake of Gennesareth, Lk. 9:10. See PhotoGuide."
Definition and meaning
also spelled Βηθσαϊδάν (G1035) Bethsaida, indecl. (1) A city of Galilee, Mt. 11:21; Mk. 6:45,. (2) A city of Lower Gaulanitis, near the Lake of Gennesareth, Lk. 9:10. See PhotoGuide.
In the original Greek the word is written: Βηθσαϊδά
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of bethsaida (G966) across the King James Bible.
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.
And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.
And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
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Common questions
Strong's G966 (bethsaida) is a Greek word that means: also spelled Βηθσαϊδάν (G1035) Bethsaida, indecl. (1) A city of Galilee, Mt. 11:21; Mk. 6:45,. (2) A city of Lower Gaulanitis, near the Lake of Gennesareth, Lk. 9:10. See PhotoGuide. It appears 7 times in the King James Bible.
The word bethsaida (G966) appears 7 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G966 is bethsaida, a Greek word defined as: also spelled Βηθσαϊδάν (G1035) Bethsaida, indecl. (1) A city of Galilee, Mt. 11:21; Mk. 6:45,. (2) A city of Lower Gaulanitis, near the Lake of Gennes. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
bethsaida is a Greek word found in the New Testament.