Island

Island [EBD]

(Heb. 'i, "dry land," as opposed to water) occurs in its usual signification (Isa. 42:4, 10, 12, 15, comp. Jer. 47:4), but more frequently simply denotes a maritime region or sea-coast (Isa. 20:6, R.V.," coastland;" 23:2, 6; Jer. 2:10; Ezek. 27:6, 7). (See CHITTIM.) The shores of the Mediterranean are called the "islands of the sea" (Isa. 11:11), or the "isles of the Gentiles" (Gen. 10:5), and sometimes simply "isles" (Ps. 72:10); Ezek. 26:15, 18; 27:3, 35; Dan. 11:18).

Island [NAVE]

ISLAND, prophecies concerning, Psa. 97:1; Isa. 11:11; 41:1, 5; 49:1; Zeph. 2:11; Rev. 16:20.

ISLE [SMITH]

The radical sense of the Hebrew word seems to be "habitable places," as opposed to water, and in this sense it occurs in (Isaiah 42:15) Hence it means secondarily any maritime district, whether belonging to a continent or to an island; thus it is used of the shore of the Mediterranean, (Isaiah 20:6; 23:2,6) and of the coasts of Elishah, (Ezekiel 27:7) i.e. of Greece and Asia Minor.

ISLAND; ISLE [ISBE]

ISLAND; ISLE - i'-land, il ((1) 'i, "island" or "isle"; the American Standard Revised Version has "coast" or "coast-land" in Isa 20:6; 23:2,6; the Revised Version margin has "coast-lands" in Gen 10:5; Isa 11:11; 24:15; 59:18; Jer 25:22; Ezek 39:6; Dan 11:18; Zeph 2:11; the Revised Version margin has "sea-coast" in Jer 47:4. (2) plural 'iyim, the King James Version "wild beasts of the islands," the Revised Version (British and American) "wolves," the Revised Version margin "howling creatures" (Isa 13:22; 34:14; Jer 50:39). (3) nesion, "small island" (Acts 27:16) (4) nesos, "island" (Acts 13:6; 27:26; 28:1,7,9,11; Rev 1:9; 6:14; 16:20)): Except as noted above, 'i in the Revised Version (British and American) is translated "isle" or "island." ARVAD (which see), a Phoenician island-city North of Tripoli, Syria, is mentioned in Gen 10:18; 1 Ch 1:16; Ezek 27:8,11. This and Tyre were the only important islands on the coast, both of them very small. We find references to Kittim or Chittim, Cyprus (Gen 10:4; Nu 24:24; 1 Ch 1:7; Isa 23:1,12; Jer 2:10; Ezek 27:6; Dan 11:30); to Elisha, perhaps Carthage (Gen 10:4; 1 Ch 1:7; Ezek 27:7); to "isles of the nations" (Gen 10:5; Zeph 2:11); to "isles of the sea" (Est 10:1; 11:11; 24:15; Ezek 26:18); to "Tarshish and the isles" (Ps 72:10; compare Isa 66:19); to "isle (the Revised Version margin "sea-coast") of Caphtor" (Jer 47:4). Communication with these islands or distant coasts is kept up by the Tyrians (Ezek 27:3,15). The Jews were not a maritime people, and in early times their geographical knowledge was very limited. Of 32 Old Testament passages referring to "island" or "isle," 25 are in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. In the New Testament, besides the passages noted above, and Patmos (Rev 1:9), various islands are mentioned by name in connection with the voyages of Paul, e.g. Cyprus, Crete, Lesbos, Samos, Samothrace, Chios, Melita, Sicily (Syracuse, Acts 28:12). "Jackals" is a perfectly possible translation of 'iyim (the King James Version "wild beasts of the islands," the Revised Version (British and American) "wolves," the Revised Version margin "howling creatures").

See COAST; GEOGRAPHY; JACKAL; WOLF.

Alfred Ely Day