A body of land surrounded on all sides by water. A number of specific islands are referred to in the Bible. 1 Arvad, in northern Phoenicia, an island-city located two miles offshore (Ezek 27:8; Ezek 27:11). 2 Cauda, a small island south of Crete where, Acts records, Paul took refuge during a storm (Acts 27:13-17). 3 Chios, an island off the northern coast of Ionia (Acts 20:15). 4 Cos, an island off the southwest coast of Asia Minor, fifty miles northwest of Rhodes, to which Paul sailed on his way back to Jerusalem (Acts 21:1). 5 Crete (biblical Caphtor), a famous island, 160 miles long, reputed to be the place of origin of the Philistines (Jer 47:4; Amos 9:7). Paul sailed along its coast (Acts 27:7-21). It is also the area for which Titus was appointed as supervisor (Titus 1:5-14). 6 Cyprus, a large island located seventy-five miles off the northern Levant coast (Jer 2:10; Ezek 27:6; Acts 4:36; Acts 11:19-20; Acts 13:4; Acts 15:39; Acts 21:3; Acts 21:16; Acts 27:4). 7 Malta, a small island fifty miles south of Sicily, on which Paul, according to Acts, was shipwrecked (Acts 27:39-28:10). 8 Patmos, a small island off the Ionian coast, west of the island of Samos, on which John received his revelation (Rev 1:9). 9 Rhodes, an island off the southwest coast of Asia Minor visited in the course of Paul’s return to Jerusalem (Acts 21:1). 10 Samos, located off the Ionian coast, twelve miles southwest of ancient Ephesus (Acts 20:14). 11 Sicily, the largest of the Mediterranean islands. It was visited by Paul when he landed and stayed for three days at Syracuse, its leading city (Acts 28:12). 12 Tarshish, possibly Sardinia (Ps 72:10; Ezek 27:25). 13 Tyre, an island-city of the Phoenicians that was famous for its trade and wealth (Ezek 26-28). It was conquered by Alexander the Great after he built a half-mile-long mole from the coast to the island. Thereafter it remained connected to the mainland.
