Lexical Summary Surtis: Syrtis Original Word: Σύρτις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance quicksands, SyrtisFrom 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 Originfrom 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: ΣύρτιςΣύρτις (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 Definition and Geographical Setting Σύρτις designates the treacherous sandbanks that lie off the coast of modern-day Libya. Classical writers distinguish a Syrtis Major (Gulf of Sidra) and a Syrtis Minor (Gulf of Gabès), both notorious in antiquity for their shifting shoals and violent cross-currents. Even experienced sailors dreaded the region, because a vessel driven into the muddy shallows could neither anchor securely nor maneuver out again. This natural hazard formed an ever-present threat to Mediterranean navigation, especially when winter storms blew ships southward from the open sea. Biblical Occurrence Luke records the term once, during the account of Paul’s voyage to Rome: “Fearing that they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along” (Acts 27:17). The plural “sandbars” indicates the crew’s awareness of multiple banks. Their evasive action—undergirding the ship with cables and striking sail—shows how seriously mariners regarded these quicksands. Historical and Navigational Background 1. Roman shipping routes commonly hugged the northern Mediterranean coastline, but adverse winds could force a vessel into the open sea. Theological and Pastoral Insights Paul’s ship narrowly avoided Syrtis, yet the apostle remained confident in God’s promise: “Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head” (Acts 27:34). The episode illustrates: Literary Reliability of Luke’s Account Luke’s precise mention of Syrtis, together with other nautical details—soundings, anchors, prevailing winds—has been corroborated by maritime studies. Such specificity strengthens confidence in the historical trustworthiness of Acts and, by extension, the broader Scriptural record (Luke 1:3-4). Applications for Ministry 1. Warning: spiritual drift can carry believers toward hidden “quicksands” of compromise; vigilance and early corrective action are essential (Hebrews 2:1). Related Biblical Themes • Storms and deliverance: Jonah 1; Mark 4:35-41. Forms and Transliterations Συρτιν Σύρτιν Surtin Syrtin SýrtinLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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