The Bible mentions many different countries and regions, both directly and indirectly. Determining exactly which modern-day countries align with those mentioned can be challenging, as political boundaries have changed over the millennia since the books of the Bible were written.
Israel
The most prominent country in the Bible is Israel. This refers to the lands traditionally inhabited by the Israelites and Jews. The boundaries of Israel have changed over time, but the core area includes Jerusalem and other cities along the Jordan River valley.
In the Old Testament period, the Kingdom of Israel was divided into two parts – the Northern Kingdom of Israel and Southern Kingdom of Judah. This split occurred after the death of King Solomon. The Northern Kingdom was conquered by Assyria in 722 BC, while the Southern Kingdom was later conquered by Babylon in 586 BC.
After a period of exile, Jews returned to rebuild Jerusalem and their Temple. Over the next few centuries, Israel was controlled by various empires including the Persians, Greeks and Romans. During Roman times, the province of Judea encompassed much of central Israel including Jerusalem.
After the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, most Jews were scattered abroad in the Diaspora. They began returning in increasing numbers during the late 1800s, establishing farms and communities. The modern State of Israel was declared in 1948, revived after almost 1900 years of Jewish dispersion.
Egypt
Egypt is another prominent nation in the events recounted in the Bible. It was the place of exile and then deliverance for the Israelites under Moses. Major cities mentioned include the capital Memphis as well as Thebes.
Egypt’s plentiful grain supplies saved others from famine, including Abraham, Jacob and his sons. Joseph rose to high position serving Pharaoh and invited Jacob’s family to live in Egypt. The Israelites later became slaves in Egypt before the Exodus led by Moses.
During Jesus’ childhood, he was taken to Egypt to escape King Herod’s persecution for a time. Much later, the Holy Family also spent time in Egypt after fleeing Judea.
Babylon
The Kingdom of Babylon in Mesopotamia occupies a prominent place in the later history of the Old Testament. After conquering the Kingdom of Judah, the Babylonians destroyed the First Temple and exiled many Jews to Babylon.
The prophet Daniel and his companions were members of the Judean elite deported to Babylon. The books of Daniel, Jeremiah and Ezekiel include accounts of Jewish life under Babylonian rule.
The Persian conquest of Babylon allowed the exiles to return to Israel and rebuild their Temple by about 515 BC. This ended the infamous Babylonian captivity of the Jews.
Assyria
Assyria was a powerful kingdom based in northern Mesopotamia that conquered the Kingdom of Israel in 722 BC. The Assyrian heartland was centered on the Tigris River in what is now northern Iraq and areas of Syria, Turkey and Iran.
The Assyrian capital was initially Assur, then later moved to cities such as Kalhu, Dur Sharrukin and finally Nineveh. The mentions of Nineveh and the Assyrian cities in the Bible illustrate their regional importance and reputation for cruelty.
The Assyrian conquest led to the loss of the 10 northern tribes of Israel. The Kingdom of Judah in the south survived longer until the Babylonian conquest over a century later.
Persia
Persia, called Iran today, matches approximately with the former Persian Empire. This empire’s rule extended from Greece in the west to northwest India in the east at its height.
Persia occupied a pivotal role in protecting the Jews from potential extinction following their exile in Babylon. The Persian king Cyrus allowed them to return home circa 538 BC and rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple.
Later Persian kings such as Darius and Xerxes appear prominently in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, considering petitions from the Jews and allowing the walls of Jerusalem to be rebuilt.
Greece
Greece was not a major power for much of Biblical history. But with the conquests of Alexander the Great in the late 4th century BC, it became the center of a new Hellenistic empire.
Greek influence increased through the eastern Mediterranean region, setting the stage for clash of cultures with the Jews under Seleucid rule. The Maccabean Revolt saw Judas Maccabeus lead Jewish rebels against the Seleucid’s hellenizing policies.
By New Testament times, much of the region was under Roman rule but still with significant Greek linguistic and cultural influences.
Rome
As the Roman Republic and later Roman Empire expanded, it came to rule much of the Mediterranean world including Judea during New Testament times.
The Romans took over the territories ruled by the Greek Seleucid dynasty in the 2nd century BC. Judea was granted some autonomy for a time but came under direct Roman administration from 6 AD.
The famous census that brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem was ordered by the Romans. Roman soldiers crucified Jesus. Roman prefects such as Pontius Pilate figured prominently during Jesus’ ministry and trial.
Asia Minor
The term Asia Minor refers to a geographic area in what is now western Turkey. In the New Testament, this area included cities that were important centers of early Christianity such as Ephesus and Laodicea.
Paul visited and sent letters to many Asia Minor churches such as the Ephesians and Colossians. The book of Revelation includes messages directed to the seven churches of Asia located in cities such as Smyrna, Pergamum and Thyatira.
Italy
Although the heartland of the Roman Empire was based in Italy, the Italian peninsula is not heavily featured in Biblical accounts. Rome itself is only mentioned a handful of times.
Syracuse in Sicily was visited by Paul on his journey to Rome as recorded in Acts 28. This marked Paul’s arrival in Italy as a prisoner en route to trial before Caesar.
Italy and Rome gain greater prominence in early Church history following the close of the New Testament period. Both Peter and Paul were martyred in Rome around 64-65 AD.
Macedonia
The part of Greece north of the peninsula proper was known as Macedonia in ancient times. Under Philip II and Alexander the Great, Macedonia conquered Greece and Persia and stretched its empire across the Middle East.
While only briefly mentioned during this early Hellenistic period, Macedonia regained prominence under Roman rule as an important Christian center. Several of Paul’s letters including Philippians were directed to Macedonian churches.
Paul traveled through Macedonia (Acts 16-17) on his second and third missionary journeys, strengthening the churches in cities like Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea.
Achaia
The southern region of ancient Greece including the Peloponnese Peninsula and Athens was known as Achaia under Roman rule. During New Testament times, Achaia served as capital of the Roman province encompassing all of Greece.
Paul visited Athens and Corinth, two major cities in Achaia and sites of thriving early Christian communities. The Corinthian church in particular prompted several letters from Paul addressing moral and doctrinal issues.
Cyprus
The island of Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean lies just south of modern Turkey. Barnabas was from Cyprus and with Paul visited several cities there on their first missionary journey (Acts 13-14).
They passed through the port of Salamis and traveled across the island to Paphos, seat of the Roman proconsul Sergius Paulus. According to Acts 13, Paulus was an early Gentile convert through Paul’s preaching.
Syria
Syria was a major center of early Christianity dating back to the days of the apostles. Paul’s conversion took place while en route to Damascus in southern Syria. Antioch in the north became his home church and a vital base for missionary efforts.
Syria was part of the Seleucid Empire following Alexander’s death. Control of the region was contested among powers like the Romans, Greeks, Persians and later Muslim armies during the Crusades.
Arabia
The desert peninsula of Arabia was south and east of Judea and mostly inhabited by nomadic tribes in Biblical times. The Queen of Sheba who visited King Solomon came from southwestern Arabia, either Yemen or Ethiopia.
Paul mentions spending time in Arabia shortly after his conversion (Galatians 1:17). This may refer to the Nabatean kingdom based in Petra, Jordan encompassing part of the northern Arabian desert.
Egypt
Egypt is a key location in many Biblical accounts. Abraham, Joseph, Jacob and his sons all spend time in Egypt due to famine in Canaan or based on Egypt’s role as a regional power.
Moses was raised in Pharaoh’s household before leading the Exodus out of Egypt after a series of plagues. Jesus’ family flees here for safety after his birth before later returning to Galilee.
Mesopotamia
Between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers lies the ancient region of Mesopotamia, part of modern Iraq. Several important Biblical sites were located here, especially relating to Abraham’s early life and the Jewish captivity.
The city of Ur where Abraham was from was an important Sumerian center. Later Assyrian and Babylonian Empires conquered the Northern and Southern Kingdoms of Israel and exiled many Jews to this area.
Canaan
This ancient term refers to an area encompassing modern Israel, Palestine, Lebanon and coastal Syria. It served as the Promised Land for the Israelites after their Exodus from Egypt under Moses’ leadership.
Before their arrival it was dominated by Canaanites living in fortified cities throughout the region. Under Joshua, the Israelites conquered parts of Canaan but struggled to completely drive out the Canaanites.
Asia
Asia had limited direct involvement with Biblical lands except for the eastern portion conquered by Assyria and Babylon. But Paul’s ambition was to bring the gospel to Asia (Acts 19:22), meaning the Roman province encompassing western Asia Minor.
The book of Acts records the spread of Christianity to the western coast through cities like Ephesus. By the late first century, Christian communities probably existed at least to the borders of modern Turkey, Iran and Armenia.
Europe
Aside from Greece and Italy, Europe played little role in Biblical accounts. But in later centuries, Christianity spread north and west into the European continent from the Middle East and Asia Minor.
Paul expressed a desire to visit Spain specifically (Romans 15:28), implying hopes to preach the gospel across the Mediterranean. According to legend, Paul did reach Spain and other apostles reached Britain, but historical evidence is uncertain.
Africa
Northern Africa was the home of Egypt and played a major role from Old to New Testament times. Christianity also spread to Egypt early, produced thinkers like Origen and monks like Anthony.
But Sub-Saharan Africa is not mentioned in the Bible. European colonization and missionary work led to the spread of Christianity down the African coast and across the continent many centuries later.
Conclusion
The Bible focuses primarily on the ancient Near East region encompassing modern Israel, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Greece. This represents the origins of Judaism and birthplace of Christianity.
But the missionary efforts of the apostles and early Church led to the spread of Christianity across the Mediterranean world and deeper into Asia and Africa in the centuries that followed.
The Bible forms a foundational religious text for much of the world. The lands it mentions most prominently remain important historically and spiritually as the cradle of Judaism and Christianity.
| Country/Region | Summary of Biblical References |
|---|---|
| Israel | Promised home of the Israelites, divided kingdom, focus of much Old Testament history |
| Egypt | Place of exile and Exodus for Israelites, temporary home for Holy Family |
| Babylon | Conquered and exiled Jews from Kingdom of Judah in 6th century BC |
| Assyria | Conquered and exiled 10 northern tribes of Israel in 8th century BC |
| Persia | Allowed Jews to return from Babylonian exile and rebuild Jerusalem |
| Greece | Hellenistic empire conquered region after Alexander; influenced culture |
| Rome | Ruled region during New Testament period; Jesus crucified by Romans |
| Asia Minor | Area of modern Turkey where Paul established many churches |
| Italy | Mentioned just briefly; more prominent in post-NT church history |
| Macedonia | Northern Greece; Paul established church communities here |
| Achaia | Southern Greece; Paul visited cities like Athens and Corinth here |
| Cyprus | Barnabas’ home; Paul visited on first missionary journey |
| Syria | Antioch was vital early church center; Paul’s conversion near Damascus |
| Arabia | Mentioned briefly; mostly inhabited by nomadic tribes |
| Mesopotamia | Between Tigris and Euphrates rivers; site of Ur and Jewish exile |
| Canaan | Promised land of the Israelites; modern Israel, Lebanon, Palestine |
| Asia | Mentioned in Acts as site of Paul’s hoped missionary expansion |
| Europe | Christianity spread here later, after NT period |
| Africa | Egypt mentioned prominently; Christianity spread south gradually |