GERGESA: (Matt. 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20,).

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.)

Refers to the same area as Gadara but being the larger area around that city. Most scholars agree the Gergesa is the precise location of the healing of the demoniac named Legion. The location provides the tombs referred to in the passages (Mark 5:1; Lk 8:26) and also is the only site that provides steep hills coming down to the shoreline. See Gadara.