The Sea of Galilee is Israel 's largest freshwater lake , about 53 kilometers ( 33 miles ) around , about 21 km ( 13 miles ) long , and 13 km ( 8 miles ) wide ; it has a total area of 166 kmÂ , and a depth of about 43 meters . The Sea of Galilee , also Kinneret , Lake of Gennesaret , or Lake Tiberias ( Judeo-Aramaic : ) , is the largest freshwater lake in Israel , and it is approximately 53 km ( 33 miles ) in circumference , about 21 km ( 13 miles ) long , and 13 km ( 8 miles ) wide . The lake has a total area of 166 k , and a maximum depth of approximately 43 m ( 141 feet ) .