4950. Surtis

Lexicon

Surtis: Syrtis

Original Word: Σύρτις
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: Surtis
Pronunciation: SOOR-tis
Phonetic Spelling: (soor'-tis)
Definition: Syrtis
Meaning: Syrtis, a quicksand off the coast of North Africa.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

quicksands, Syrtis

From suro; a shoal (from the sand drawn thither by the waves), i.e. The Syrtis Major or great bay on the north coast of Africa -- quicksands.

see GREEK suro

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from suró
Definition
"shoal," Syrtis, the name of two large sandbanks on the Lybian coast
NASB Translation
Syrtis (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4950: Σύρτις

Σύρτις (Lachmann Σύρτις; cf. Tdf. Proleg., p. 103; Chandler § 650), Συρτισεως, accusative Σύρτιν, ἡ (σύρω, which see (others from Arabicsert, i. e. 'desert'; others besides, see Pape, Eigennamen, under the word)), Syrtis, the name of two places in the African or Libyan Sea between Carthage and Cyrenaica, full of shallows and sandbanks, and therefore destructive to ships; the western Syrtis, between the islands Cercina and Meninx (or the promontories of Zeitha and Brachodes), was called Syrtis minor, the eastern (extending from the promontory of Cephalae on the Winers Grammar, to that of Boreum on the E.) was called Syrtis major (sinus Psyllicus); this latter must be the one referred to in Acts 27:17, for upon this the ship in which Paul was sailing might easily be cast after leaving Crete. (Cf. B. D. under the word .)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: From the Greek verb σύρω (syrō), meaning "to drag" or "to sweep."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There are no direct Hebrew equivalents for Σύρτις, as it is a specific geographical term related to the Mediterranean region and does not have a counterpart in the Hebrew Bible.

Usage: The term is used in the New Testament to describe a geographical location known for its dangerous sandbanks. It appears in the context of maritime navigation.

Context: Σύρτις refers to the notorious sandbanks located in the Mediterranean Sea, off the northern coast of Africa. These sandbanks were well-known in ancient times for their treacherous conditions, posing significant hazards to sailors. The Syrtis Major and Syrtis Minor were feared by mariners due to their shifting sands and shallow waters, which could easily ground ships.

In the New Testament, Σύρτις is mentioned in the Book of Acts during the account of Paul's voyage to Rome. In Acts 27:17 (BSB), it is recorded: "After hoisting the lifeboat, they used ropes to undergird the ship. And fearing that they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and were driven along." This passage highlights the crew's fear of being caught in the Syrtis, illustrating the perilous nature of these sandbanks.

The mention of Syrtis in the biblical narrative underscores the challenges faced by early Christian missionaries and travelers, emphasizing the reliance on divine providence and guidance during their journeys. The geographical reference also provides historical context, reflecting the maritime knowledge and concerns of the ancient world.

Forms and Transliterations

Συρτιν Σύρτιν Surtin Syrtin Sýrtin

Englishman's Concordance

Acts 27:17 N-AFS
GRK: εἰς τὴν Σύρτιν ἐκπέσωσιν χαλάσαντες
NAS: that they might run aground on [the shallows] of Syrtis, they let down
KJV: into the quicksands, strake
INT: into the sandbars of Syrtis they should fall having lowered

Strong's Greek 4950
1 Occurrence

Σύρτιν — 1 Occ.