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Subject: Bible Foods
FISH
(dagh, daghah, da'gh; ichthus, ichthudion, opsarion):
1. Natural History: Fishes abound in the inland waters of Palestine as
well as the Mediterranean. They are often mentioned or indirectly
referred to both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, but it
is remarkable that no particular kind is distinguished by name. In Lev
11:9-12 and Deut 14; 9 f, "whatsoever hath fins and scales in the
waters" is declared clean, while all that "have not fins and scales" are
forbidden. This excluded not only reptiles and amphibians, but also,
among fishes, siluroids and eels, sharks, rays and lampreys. For our
knowledge of the inland fishes of Palestine we are mainly indebted to
Tristram, Tristram, Natural History of the Bible and Fauna and Flora of
Palestine; Lortet, Poissons et reptiles du Lac de Tiberiade; and
Russegger, Reisen in Europa, Asien, Afrika, 1835-1841. The most
remarkable feature of the fish fauna of the Jordan valley is its
relationship to that of the Nile and of East Central Africa.
Two Nile fishes, Chromis nilotica Hasselquist, and Clarias macracanthus
Gunth., are found in the Jordan valley, and a number of other species
found only in the Jordan valley belong to genera (Chromis and
Hemichromis) which are otherwise exclusively African. This seems to
indicate that at some time, probably in the early Tertiary, there was
some connection between the Palestinian and African river systems. No
fish can live in the Dead Sea, and many perish through being carried
down by the swift currents of the Jordan and other streams. There are,
however, several kinds of small fish which live in salt springs on the
borders of the Dead Sea, springs which are as salt as the Dead Sea but
which, according to Lortet, lack the magnesium chloride which is a
constituent of the Dead Sea water and is fatal to the fish. Capoeta
damascina Cuv. and Val., one of the commonest fishes of Syria and
Palestine,has been taken by the writer in large numbers in the Arnon and
other streams flowing into the Dead Sea. This is surprising in view of
the fact that the Dead Sea seems to form an effective barrier between
the fishes of the different streams flowing into it. The indiscriminate
mention of fishes without reference to the different kinds is well
illustrated by the numerous passages in which "the fishes of the sea,
the birds of the heavens, and the beasts of the field," or some
equivalent expression, is used to denote all living creatures, e.g. Gen
1:26; 9:2; Num 11:22; Deut 4:18; 1 Kings 4:33; Job 12:8; Ps 8:8; Ezek
38:20; Hos 4:3; Zeph 1:3; 1 Cor 15:39,
2. Jonah's Fish: An unusually large shark might fulfil the conditions of
Jonah's fish (dagh, daghah; but Matt 12:40, ketos, "whale" or "sea
monster"). The whale that is found in the Mediterranean (Balaena
australis) has a narrow throat and could not swallow a man. No natural
explanation is possible of Jonah's remaining alive and conscious for
three days in the creature's belly. Those who consider the book
historical must regard the whole event as miraculous. For those who
consider it to be a story with a purpose, no explanation is required.
3. Fishing: The present inhabitants of Moab and Edom make no use of the
fish that swarm in the Arnon, the Hisa and other streams, but fishing is
an important industry in Galilee and Western Palestine Now, as formerly,
spear hooks and nets are employed. The fish-spear (Job 41:7) is little
used. Most of the Old Testament references to nets have to do with the
taking of birds and beasts and not of fishes, and, while in Hab 1:15
cherem is rendered "net" and mikhmereth "drag," it is hot clear that
these and the other words rendered "net" refer to particular kinds of
nets. In the New Testament, however, sagene (Matt 13:47), is clearly the
dragnet, and amphiblestron (Matt 4:18), is clearly the casting net. The
word oftenest used is diktuon. Though this word is from dikein, "to
throw," or "to cast," the context in several places (e.g. Luke 5:4; John
21:11) suggests that a dragnet is meant. The dragnet may be several
hundred feet long. The upper edge is buoyed and the lower edge is
weighted. It is let down from a boat in a line parallel to the shore and
is then pulled in by ropes attached to the two ends, several men and
boys usually pulling at each end. The use of the casting net requires
much skill. It forms a circle of from 10 to 20 feet in diameter with
numerous small leaden weights at the circumference. It is lifted by the
center and carefully gathered over the right arm. When well thrown it
goes to some distance, at the same time spreading out into a wide
circle. A cord may be attached to the center, but this is not always the
case. When lifted again by the center, the leads come together, dragging
over the bottom, and sometimes a large number of fish may be enclosed.
The novice has only to try, to realize the dexterity of the practiced
fishermen.
Figurative: The fact that so many of Our Lord's disciples were fishermen
lends a profound interest to their profession. Christ tells Simon and
Andrew (Matt 4:19; Mark 1:17) that He will make them fishers of men. The
Kingdom of Heaven (Matt 13:47) is likened unto a net that was cast into
the sea, and gathered of every kind; which, when it was filled, they
drew up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good into
vessels, but the bad they cast away. Tristram (Natural History of the
Bible) says that he has seen the fishermen go through their net and
throw out into the sea those that were too small for the market or were
considered unclean. In Jer 16:16, we read: "Behold, I will send for many
fishers, saith Yahweh, and they shall fish them up; and afterward I will
send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and
from every hill, and out of the clefts of the rocks." In the vision of
Ezekiel (Ezek 47:9 f), the multitude of fish and the nets spread from
En-gedi to En-eglaim are marks of the marvelous change wrought in the
Dead Sea by the stream issuing from the temple. The same sign, i.e. of
the spreading of nets (Ezek 26:5,14), marks the desolation of Tyre. It
is a piece of broiled fish that the risen Lord eats with the Eleven in
Jerusalem (Luke 24:42), and by the Sea of Galilee (John 21:13) He gives
the disciples bread and fish.
(from International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia)
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FISH
And they offered him a piece of boiled fish and a honeycomb. And when he
had eaten in their presence, he took what remained and gave it to them.
(Luke 24:42-43)
Fishing on the sea of Galilee and the river Jordan was a huge industry.
During their exile in Egypt, the Israelites learned to prize the fish
from Red Sea. For the people of the Old Testament, there were precise
dietary laws of sea food.
We know that fish low cholesterol and contain healthy polyunsaturated
fats.
Since there was no way of preserving fish (except by salting), most
people in Bible times ate their fish fresh-a wonderfully rich source of
proteins, potassium, vitamins and minerals with only a moderate amount
of sodium.
We know that the fish:-
1 Thins the blood.
2. Protects arteries from damage.
3 Inhibits blood clots( anti –thrombin)
4.Reduces blood triglycerides.
5.Lowers LDL blood pressure.
6 Lowers blood pressure.
7. Reduces risk of heart attack and stroke.
8. Eases symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
9. Reduces risk of lupus.
10. Relieves migraine headaches.
11. Fights inflammation.
12. Helps regulate the immune system.
13. Inhibits cancer in animals.
14. Soothes bronchial asthma.
15. Combats early kidney disease.
The key to the healing powers of fish lies in the omega-3 fatty acids.
These are particularly concentrated in cold water fish such as
anchovies, bluefish, tuna, salmon, mackerel and sardines.
These are the things that breed in the water, and which it is lawful to
eat. All that hath fins, and scales, as well as in the sea, as in the
rivers, and the pools, you shall eat. But whatsoever hath not fins and
scales----- shall be an abomination to you: their flesh you shall not
eat and their carcasses you shall avoid.( Lev 11:9-12) For more than 200
years, cod-liver oil was prescribed for a number of ailments, including
rheumatism and arthritis, because, it was believed it could lubricate
the joints.
Dr. Judith Wurtman, head of a research team at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, dis- covered that seafood is high in this
potent amino acid. it apparently stimulates the brain into producing
extra nor epinephrine and dopamine. These are the neurotransmitters that
the brain needs to keep functioning at peak efficiency. And makes us
feel more alert.
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