Bible Dictionary
Gergesa
Gergesa was identified by some interpreters with the lakeside locality where Jesus delivered a demon-possessed man and the demons entered a herd of swine.
Definition
Gergesa was identified with a lakeside locality near Khersa, “over against Galilee,” and was proposed as the setting of Jesus’ miracle involving a demon-possessed man.
Biblical Usage
The location is associated with the Gospel account in which the demons entered a herd of swine, which then rushed into the lake.
Historical Background
The site was described as lying below the high plateau of Bashan, where the ground descended steeply toward the shore and a spur reached the water. This geography was considered suitable for the swine’s plunge into the lake.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
=Gerasa, identified with the modern Khersa, “over against Galilee,” close to the lake. This was probably the scene of the miracle, Mark 5:1-20, etc. “From the base of the great plateau of Bashan, 2,000 feet or more overhead, the ground slopes down steeply, in places precipitously, to the shore. And at the foot of the declivity a bold spur runs out to the water’s edge. By it the frantic swine would rush on headlong into the lake and perish.” Porter’s Through Samaria. (See GADARA.)