Magdala
“Tower (from Hebrew migdol)”
Summary
Magdala was a town on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, best known as the hometown of Mary Magdalene and a place Jesus visited after feeding the four thousand.
☩Biblical Reference
Jesus came to the region of Magdala (or Magadan, as some manuscripts read) after miraculously feeding four thousand people on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. The parallel passage in Mark's Gospel names the destination as 'the parts of Dalmanutha,' suggesting Magdala and Dalmanutha were adjacent or that one name described the region and the other a specific village.
☩Mary Magdalene's Home
The town's greatest fame comes from its association with Mary called 'the Magdalene' (meaning 'of Magdala'), one of Jesus' most devoted followers. She was among the women who supported Jesus' ministry, witnessed His crucifixion, and was the first to see the risen Lord. The name Magdala derives from the Hebrew 'migdol' meaning 'tower,' and such towers were common in ancient Palestine.
☩Location
The site is identified with modern el-Mejdel, a small village on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, about three miles north of Tiberias at the southeast corner of the plain of Gennesaret. Behind it rise high limestone cliffs honeycombed with caves. In Jesus' time it was a prosperous town known for its dye-works and fine woolen textiles.
Related Verses1 mention
Matthew· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Magdala," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Magdala," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Magdala," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).