Island

(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).

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 Ge 10:5; Isa 11:11; 24:15; 59:18; Jer 25:22; Eze 39:6; Da 11:18; Ze 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" (Ac 27:16)

(4) nesos, "island" (Ac 13:6; 27:26; 28:1,7,9,11; Re 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 Ge 10:18; 1Ch 1:16; Eze 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 (Ge 10:4; Nu 24:24; 1Ch 1:7; Isa 23:1,12; Jer 2:10; Eze 27:6; Da 11:30); to Elisha, perhaps Carthage (Ge 10:4; 1Ch 1:7; Eze 27:7); to "isles of the nations" (Ge 10:5; Ze 2:11); to "isles of the sea" (Es 10:1; 11:11; 24:15; Eze 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 (Eze 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 (Re 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, Ac 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