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
Thus Josnt who was called by the apostles Barnabas (which means, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus,
Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews.
So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus.
There arose such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.
When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload its cargo.
And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to lodge.
We put out to sea from there and sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us.
When we had sailed slowly for a good many days, and with difficulty had arrived off Cnidus, since the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete, off Salmone.
Because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority reached a decision to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there. When a gentle south wind came up, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and began sailing along Crete, close inshore.
And running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were scarcely able to secure the boat.
When they had gone a long time without food, then Paul stood up among them and said, "Men, you should have followed my advice and not to have set sail from Crete and incurred this damage and loss.
When we had been brought safely through, then we found out that the island was called Malta.
I, John, your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.