Fish @ called _dag_ by the Hebrews, a word denoting great fecundity Genesis:9:2; Numbers:11:22; Jonah:2:1Jonah:2:10). No fish is mentioned by name either in the Old or in the New Testament. Fish abounded in the Mediterranean and in the lakes of the Jordan, so that the Hebrews were no doubt acquainted with many species. Two of the villages on the shores of the Sea of Galilee derived their names from their fisheries, Bethsaida (the "house of fish") on the east and on the west. There is probably no other sheet of water in the world of equal dimensions that contains such a variety and profusion of fish. About thirty-seven different kinds have been found. Some of the fishes are of a European type, such as the roach, the barbel, and the blenny; others are markedly African and tropical, such as the eel-like silurus. There was a regular fish-market apparently in Jerusalem ( 2Chronicals:33:14; Nehemiah:3:3Nehemiah:12:39; Zephaniah:1:10), as there was a fish-gate which was probably contiguous to it. Sidon is the oldest fishing establishment known in history.
Fisher @ Besides its literal sense Luke:5:2), this word is also applied by our Lord to his disciples in a figurative sense Matthew:4:19; Mark:1:17).
Fishing, the art of @ was prosecuted with great industry in the waters of Palestine. It was from the fishing-nets that Jesus called his disciples Mark:1:16-20), and it was in a fishing-boat he rebuked the winds and the waves Matthew:8:26) and delivered that remarkable series of prophecies recorded in Matthew:13. He twice miraculously fed multitudes with fish and bread Matthew:14:19Matthew:15:36). It was in the mouth of a fish that the tribute-money was found Matthew:17:27). And he "ate a piece of broiled fish" with his disciples after his resurrection Luke:24:42-43; comp. Acts:1:3). At the Sea of Tiberias John:21:1-14), in obedience to his direction, the disciples cast their net "on the right side of the ship," and enclosed so many that "they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes." Two kinds of fishing-nets are mentioned in the New Testament: (1.) The casting-net Matthew:4:18; Mark:1:16). (2.) The drag-net or seine Matthew:13:48). Fish were also caught by the fishing-hook Matthew:17:27). (See NET.)
FISH@ - The Hebrews recognized fish as one of the great divisions of the animal kingdom, and as such gave them a place in the account of the creation, Genesis:1:21-28) as well as in other passages where an exhaustive description of living creatures is intended. Genesis:9:2; Exodus:20:4Exodus:4:18; Kings:4:33) The Mosaic law, Leviticus:11:9-10) pronounced unclean such fish as were devoid of fins and scales; these were and are regarded as unwholesome in Egypt. Among the Philistines Dagon was represented by a figure half man and half fish. ( 1Samuel:5:4) On this account the worship of fish is expressly prohibited. (4:18) In Palestine, the Sea of Galilee was and still is remarkable well stored with fish. (Tristram speaks of fourteen species found there, and thinks the number inhabiting it at least three times as great.) Jerusalem derived its supply chiefly from the Mediterranean. Comp. Ezekiel:47:10) The existence of a regular fish-market is implied in the notice of the fish-gate, which was probably contiguous to it. ( 2Chronicles:33:14; Nehemiah:3:3Nehemiah:12:39; Zephaniah:1:10) The Orientals are exceedingly fond of fish as an article of diet. Numerous allusions to the art of fishing occur in the Bible. The most usual method of catching fish was by the use of the net, either the casting net, Ezekiel:26:5Ezekiel:26:14Ezekiel:47:10); Habb 1:15 Probably resembling the one used in Egypt, as shown in Wilkinson (iii. 55), or the draw or drag net, Isaiah:19:8); Habb 1:15 Which was larger, and required the use of a boat. The latter was probably most used on the Sea of Galilee, as the number of boats kept on it was very considerable.
