Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, islands often symbolize distant lands and are frequently mentioned in the Scriptures as part of God's creation and His sovereign plan. The term "islands" in the Bible can refer to actual islands or coastal regions and is often used to denote remote or far-off places.
Old Testament ReferencesThe Hebrew word most commonly translated as "islands" is "אִי" (i), which can also mean "coastlands." In the Old Testament, islands are often mentioned in the context of God's judgment and salvation. For instance, in
Isaiah 42:10, the prophet calls for praise from the ends of the earth, including the islands: "Sing to the LORD a new song, His praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who dwell in them."
Isaiah frequently uses the imagery of islands to convey the reach of God's power and the universality of His message. In
Isaiah 49:1, the Servant of the Lord calls out to the islands, indicating the global scope of God's redemptive plan: "Listen to Me, O islands, pay attention, O distant peoples: The LORD called Me from the womb; from the body of My mother He named Me."
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, the Greek word "νήσος" (nēsos) is used for islands. The Apostle Paul’s missionary journeys included visits to several islands, which played significant roles in the spread of the Gospel. For example, Paul was shipwrecked on the island of Malta, where he performed miracles and preached the Gospel (
Acts 28:1-10).
The Book of Revelation also mentions islands in the context of eschatological events.
Revelation 6:14 describes a time of cosmic upheaval: "The sky receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place." This imagery underscores the dramatic changes that will occur during the end times.
Symbolic SignificanceIslands in the Bible often symbolize isolation, remoteness, and the far reaches of the earth. They represent the extent of God's dominion and the reach of His message. The inclusion of islands in prophetic and eschatological passages highlights the comprehensive nature of God's plan for humanity, encompassing even the most distant and isolated places.
Theological ImplicationsFrom a theological perspective, the mention of islands in Scripture emphasizes God's sovereignty over all creation. It reflects the biblical theme that no place is beyond God's reach or care. The call for islands to praise God and the inclusion of islands in the prophetic vision of salvation illustrate the inclusivity of the Gospel message, affirming that God's love and redemption extend to all corners of the earth.
ConclusionThe biblical references to islands serve as a reminder of the vastness of God's creation and His desire for all nations and peoples, even those in the most remote locations, to know Him and worship Him. Through the imagery of islands, Scripture communicates the universal scope of God's redemptive work and His ultimate authority over the entire world.
Strong's Hebrew
338. i -- a jackal... Word Origin from oy Definition a jackal NASB Word Usage Hyenas (1), jackals
(1), wolves (1). wild beast of the
islands. Probably
...339. i -- coast, region
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition coast, region NASB Word Usage coastland
(4), coastlands (26),islands (6). country, isle, island....
Library
A visit to the ChannelIslands
... Collects Money for the Poor; Visits the House of Lords; His Reasons for his Long
Life; "How is the Tide Turned;" Last Entries A Visit to the ChannelIslands....
The Christian Church in TheseIslands before the Coming of...
The Christian Church in TheseIslands before the Coming of Augustine. <....
Whether Even the RemotestIslands Received their Fauna from the...
... Book XVI. Chapter 7."Whether Even the RemotestIslands Received Their Fauna from
the Animals Which Were Preserved, Through the Deluge, in the Ark....
Down theIslands
... CHAPTER II: DOWN THEISLANDS.... And beyond, and beyond again, ever newislands, new
continents perhaps, an inexhaustible wealth of yet undiscovered worlds....
The Christian Church in TheseIslands before the Coming of...
The Christian Church in TheseIslands before the Coming of Augustine. <.... THE
CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN THESEISLANDS BEFORE THE COMING OF AUGUSTINE....
Release Likewise Granted to Exiles in theIslands.
... Book II. Chapter XXXI."Release likewise granted to Exiles in theIslands.
"Furthermore, it is our command that all those who have...
Early Christianity in Other Parts of TheseIslands. --Ninian in...
The Christian Church in TheseIslands before the Coming of Augustine.... Ninian's work
has left for us memorials such as no other part of theseislands can shew....
How Claudius, the Second of the Romans who came into Britain...
... III. How Claudius, the second of the Romans who came into Britain, brought theislands
Orcades into subjection to the Roman empire; and Vespasian, sent by hint...
The Saviour's Last Command.
... The inquiry is first put to Africa: "Africa, to what extent and for what purpose
have people from Christian lands visited thee, and thine adjacentislands?...
London Missionary Society.
... SOUTH SEAISLANDS."The society commenced their labors among these isles by sending
out thirty-six missionaries, in 1796, who arrived safely, and commenced...
Thesaurus
Islands (32 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Islands (32 Occurrences).
... (WEB). Esther 10:1 King Ahasuerus
laid a tribute on the land, and on the
islands of the sea. (WEB BBE).
...Coastlands (29 Occurrences)
... Genesis 10:5 Of these were theislands of the nations divided in their lands, everyone
after his language, after their families, in their nations. (See NAS)....
Island (16 Occurrences)
... 27:6, 7). (see CHITTIM.) The shores of the Mediterranean are called the "islands
of the sea" (Isaiah 11:11), or the "isles of the Gentiles" (Genesis 10:5), and...
Isle (15 Occurrences)
... 11:18; Ze 2:11; the Revised Version margin has "sea-coast" in Jeremiah 47:4. (2)
plural 'iyim, the King James Version "wild beasts of theislands," the Revised...
Kittim (8 Occurrences)
... descendants of Javan, and indicates, therefore, the Greek-Latin races, whose territory
extended along the coasts of the Mediterranean, and included itsislands...
Serpent (40 Occurrences)
... CentraI and Southeastern Europe, Central and Southwestern Asia; Zamenis gemonensis
Laur., Central and Southeastern Europe, Greekislands, Southwestern Asia; Z...
Rhodes (2 Occurrences)
... admiration of the modern world-and extended their dominion over a strip of the Carian
coast, as well as over several of the neiahboringislands, and for the...
Jackal (3 Occurrences)
... and the English Revised Version "dragon" (Ezekiel 29:3; Ezekiel 32:2). (2) 'iyim,
"wolves," the King James Version "wild beasts of theislands"; compare 'i...
Shores (5 Occurrences)
... Esther 10:1 King Ahasuerus laid a tribute on the land, and on theislands of the
sea.... Psalms 72:10 The kings of Tarshish and of theislands will bring tribute....
Hellenism
... The explorations of archaeologists during the last few decades have brought it to
light in many places on the continent, as well as on theislands of the...
Resources
Who is the angel Moroni? | GotQuestions.orgHow should a Christian view anime? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Shintoism? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
