Galilee
/ˈɡælɪliː/noun
A historical region of northern Israel associated with much of Jesus’s early life and ministry.
Did you know?In ancient usage, Galilee referred not only to a region but also to a surrounding district, while the related term “Galilean” later became a label for Jesus and his followers.
Etymological Timeline
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
הַגָּלִיל (ha-Galil)
“The district, region, or circuit”
1st Century BCE–1st Century CE
Aramaic
גלילא (Galila)
“The Galilee region”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Γαλιλαία (Galilaia)
“Galilee, the northern region of ancient Palestine”
Late Antiquity
Latin
Galilaea
“Galilee”
Old English–Middle English
English
Galilee
“The biblical region; also, in ecclesiastical usage, a church porch or entrance area”
Modern English
English
Galilee
“A historical region of northern Israel”
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