Sidon
Port of Phoenicia. Along with Tyre, they are given in the Gospel as fertile grounds for faith[1].
Description
According to the account of Maria Valtorta, the Apostles pass through Sidon during a brief boat trip between Sicaminon and Tyre. "In Sidon, there was not the one we were looking for. We went as far as Tyre"[2]. Maria Valtorta gives no description of the city but mentions the presence of purple dye fishermen[3], which is historically accurate[4]. It is after this brief stop in Sidon that Jesus, returning to Capernaum, declares: "If the miracles done among you had been done long ago in Tyre and Sidon, their inhabitants would have repented, wearing sackcloth and covered in ashes, and would have come to Me. Therefore I tell you, on the day of Judgment, Tyre and Sidon will be treated with more leniency than you"[5]
Its name
Sidon comes from the Phoenician "Ṣydwn". It is a descendant of Noah through his son Ham[6]. In Hebrew, it is written "Tzidon" (צִידוֹן). This name probably means "fish" or "fishery".
Where is it mentioned in the work?
EMV 252 EMV 266 EMV 303.
Learn more about this place
Fortified city and port of ancient Phoenicia[7], located 35 km northeast of Tyre. For the Canaanites, it was a fortified place of major importance, which resisted the Israelites[8]. Many Sidonians had the opportunity to hear Jesus[9]. Saint Paul made a stop in Sidon during his journey to Rome[10].
Explore
- 33° 33’ 42’’ N / 35° 22’ 06’’ E /
- +10m
Notes and references
- ↑ Article partially written based on the Geographical Dictionary of the Gospel, J.-F. LAVÈRE.
- ↑ EMV 252.4.
- ↑ EMV 303.4.
- ↑ "Located about forty kilometers from Tyre, the most famous purple dye production center of the Roman Empire, the city of Sidon apparently succeeded in producing a color that was very popular from the last century of the Republic until the 5th century AD." Source: Una.éditions.fr.
- ↑ EMV 266.13 and Mt 11:21; Lk 10:13.
- ↑ Gen 10:1-15.
- ↑ The territory of the Phoenicians roughly corresponded to Lebanon, but many cities occupied by the Phoenicians were spread along the Mediterranean coast.
- ↑ Judges 10:12.
- ↑ Mark 3:8.
- ↑ Acts 27:3.