The name Capernaum comes from the Hebrew כפר נחום (Kəfar-Nahum) and literally means “the village of Nahum.” The word kəfar (כפר) means “village,” while Nahum (נחום) is most likely a personal name connected etymologically to the root נחם, meaning “to comfort / consolation,” which is why it is sometimes given, interpretively, as “the village of consolation.” As a settlement, Capernaum appears to have developed already in the Hellenistic period (c. 2nd–1st century BC), without any known specific “founder,” and it continued to be inhabited through the Roman and Byzantine eras. Its decline is often linked to the strong earthquake of 749 AD, while its gradual abandonment is generally placed between the 8th and 11th centuries AD.

Capernaum was located on the northwestern shore of the Lake of Gennesaret.

In the town there was a permanent customs station where duties were collected on the movement of goods. For this reason, an appointed senior official of the king and a Roman guard were stationed there.

In Capernaum were the homes of the Apostles Peter, Andrew, and Matthew, as well as the residence of the Roman centurion whose servant the Lord healed. According to the Evangelist Luke, the Roman centurion had built the synagogue (Luke 7:6).

Jesus chose Capernaum as the center and base of His missionary activity. He called it “His own city.” In the synagogue of this town He preached many times and performed miracles. He reproached the unbelief of its inhabitants and foretold its destruction.