Reference: Island, Isle
Hastings
The Heb. word ?? means primarily 'coastlands,' but sometimes lands in general, and in one passage (Isa 42:15) 'dry land' as opposed to water. In Isa 20:6 Palestine is called 'this isle' (AV, but RV 'coast-land'). The islands of the Gentiles or heathen (Ge 10:6; Zep 2:11) are apparently the coasts of the W. Mediterranean; the 'isles of the sea' (Es 10:1; Eze 26:18 etc.) are also the Mediterranean coasts; 'the isles' (Ps 72:10 etc., Isa 42:10 etc.) means the West generally as contrasted with the East. Tyre is mentioned as an isle in Isa 23:2, and here perhaps the term may be taken literally, as Tyre was actually at that time an island. The isle of Kittim (Jer 2:10; Eze 27:6) is probably Cyprus, and the isle of Caphtor (Jer 47:4 mg.), Crete. In the NT five islands are mentioned: Cyprus (Ac 4:36; 11:19 f., Ac 13:4; 15:39; 21:3,16; 27:4), Crete (Ac 27:7,12-13,21), Clauda (Ac 27:16), Melita (Ac 28:1), and Patmos (Re 1:9).
E. W. G. Masterman.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall render tribute. The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
And the inhabitant of this coastland shall say in that day, Behold, such is our trust, where we fled for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria. And we, how shall we escape?
Be still, ye inhabitants of the coast, thou whom the merchants of Sidon, who pass over the sea, have replenished.
Sing to LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye who go down to the sea, and all that is therein, the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.
I will lay waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs. And I will make the rivers islands, and will dry up the pools.
For pass over to the isles of Kittim, and see, and send to Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there has been such a thing.
because of the day that comes to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every helper who remains. For LORD will destroy the Philistines, the remnant of the isle of Caphtor.
Now the isles shall tremble in the day of thy fall. Yea, the isles that are in the sea shall be dismayed at thy departure.
Of the oaks of Bashan they have made thine oars. They have made thy benches of ivory inlaid in boxwood, from the isles of Kittim.
LORD will be terrible to them, for he will famish all the gods of the earth. And men shall worship him, everyone from his place, even all the isles of the nations.
And Joses, who was surnamed by the apostles, Barnabas (which is, being translated, son of encouragement), a Levite, a Cypriot by nationality,
Indeed therefore those who were scattered abroad from the persecution that occurred against Stephen passed through as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none except Jews only.
Indeed therefore these men, having been sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed for Cyprus.
Therefore a provocation developed, so as for them to separate from each other, and Barnabas to sail for Cyprus, after taking Mark,
And having sighted Cyprus, and having left it behind on the left side, we sailed to Syria and came down to Tyre, for there the ship was unloading the merchandise.
And also the disciples from Caesarea went together with us, bringing a certain Mnason, a Cypriot, an old disciple with whom we would lodge.
And having launched from there, we sailed under lee of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
And sailing slowly during considerable days, and with difficulty having come along the Cnidus, the wind not allowing us further, we sailed under lee of Crete, along Salmone.
And since the haven was inconvenient to winter in, the majority gave counsel to launch from there also, if somehow they might be able, after arriving at Phoenix, to winter in a haven of Crete, looking toward southwest and northwest And when a south wind blew gently, having presumed to have obtained their purpose, after taking up anchor, they sailed very near by Crete.
And having sailed under lee of a certain island called Clauda, we were able with difficulty, to develop control of the skiff.
And being long without food, then Paul, who stood in the midst of them, said, Ye truly ought, O men, to have complied with me, not to launch from Crete, and gain this damage and loss.
I John, your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance in Christ Jesus, happened to be on the isle that is called Patmos because of the word of God, and because of the testimony of Jesus Christ.