In the biblical context, the term "islanders" generally refers to the inhabitants of islands, particularly those mentioned in the prophetic and poetic books of the Old Testament. The Hebrew word often translated as "islands" or "coastlands" is "אִי" (i), which can denote both islands and coastal regions. This term is frequently used in the prophetic literature to describe distant lands and peoples, often in the context of God's sovereignty and the spread of His message to the ends of the earth.

Biblical References:

1. Isaiah's Prophecies:
The book of Isaiah contains several references to islands and their inhabitants. In Isaiah 42:10, the prophet calls for praise to the Lord 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." This passage highlights the universal scope of God's salvation and the inclusion of islanders in the call to worship.

Isaiah 49:1 also addresses the islands directly: "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." Here, the islands symbolize distant nations that are to hear the message of the Servant of the Lord, indicating the far-reaching impact of God's redemptive plan.

2. Ezekiel's Oracles:
The prophet Ezekiel also mentions islands in his oracles against the nations. In Ezekiel 26:15-18, the fall of Tyre is lamented, and the impact on the islands is noted: "This is what the Lord GOD says to Tyre: 'Will not the coastlands tremble at the sound of your fall, when the wounded groan and slaughter is made within you? All the princes of the sea will descend from their thrones, remove their robes, and strip off their embroidered garments. They will clothe themselves with trembling; they will sit on the ground, tremble every moment, and be appalled at you.'"

3. Psalms and Other Writings:
The Psalms also reflect on the role of islands in God's creation and plan. Psalm 97:1 declares, "The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the distant shores be glad." This verse emphasizes the joy and recognition of God's reign even in the remotest parts of the world, including the islands.

Theological Significance:

In the biblical narrative, islands often represent the farthest reaches of the known world, symbolizing the universality of God's dominion and the inclusivity of His covenant. The prophetic literature frequently uses islands to illustrate the extent of God's judgment and salvation, underscoring that no place is beyond His reach.

The mention of islands in the context of praise and judgment serves as a reminder of the comprehensive nature of God's plan for humanity. It reflects the biblical theme that God's message and His kingdom are not confined to a single nation or region but are intended for all peoples, including those dwelling in the most remote and isolated locations.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near Eastern context, islands were often seen as mysterious and distant lands. The Israelites, primarily a land-based people, would have viewed islands as part of the "ends of the earth." The biblical references to islands and their inhabitants would have evoked a sense of the vastness of God's creation and the reach of His authority.

The prophetic vision of the inclusion of islanders in the worship of Yahweh foreshadows the New Testament's Great Commission, where the gospel is to be preached to all nations, encompassing every corner of the earth, including the islands. This reflects the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through history, culminating in the universal call to salvation through Jesus Christ.

Acts XXVIII
... they kindled a fire, on account of the rain that was falling, and on account of
the cold, and brought us all to it." In calling the islanders barbarians, Luke ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxviii.htm

After the Wreck
... the rescued men huddled together on the shore in the early morning, and no doubt
they were doubtful what reception they would have from the islanders who had ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/after the wreck.htm

Croesus.
... On the sea, however, these islanders were supreme. Croesus formed a scheme
for attacking these islands and bringing them under his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter iv croesus.htm

The 'education Question' in Trinidad
... But they had a right to their opinion; and a right too, being the great majority
of the islanders, to have that opinion respected by the Governor. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xiv the education question.htm

Christian Stewardship.
... And during a long voyage, I had time, not only to think of the Sandwich Islanders,
but to cast my thoughts abroad over the wide world. ...
/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter ii christian stewardship.htm

The Sunday Christian.
... Board. In the affairs of the Ceylonese and South-Sea Islanders he took a
warm interest, and could talk eloquently about the heathen. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arthur/words for the wise/the sunday christian.htm

The Anti-Missionary Agitation.
... Let him turn the points of the compass. He sees the great North-land in the hands
of Russia. He sees the Spaniard tyrannizing over the Philippine Islanders. ...
/.../fagg/forty years in south china/x the anti-missionary agitation.htm

(And Last): Homeward Bound
... to accept very few of the invitations which were showered on us, and which would,
I doubt not, have given us opportunities for liking the islanders still more ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xvii and last homeward.htm

Manasseh
... He had become reckless in his habits, and treated the islanders with such barbarity
and cruelty, that they revenged his conduct upon the next white man who put ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/manasseh.htm

Phial the Third, on the Rivers and Fountains of Waters of the ...
... So that there was a wonderful cry of applause to the just and true judgments of
God, not only from those islanders who were now revenging the blood of their ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/phial the third on the.htm

Islanders (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Islanders (1 Occurrence). Zephaniah 2:11 Fearful
'is' Jehovah against them, For He made bare all gods of ...
/i/islanders.htm - 6k

Islands (32 Occurrences)

/i/islands.htm - 16k

Island (16 Occurrences)

/i/island.htm - 16k

Samson (37 Occurrences)
... Bough, III, 390;) has shown that the belief that some mysterious power resides in
the hair is still widespread among savage peoples, eg the Fiji Islanders. ...
/s/samson.htm - 37k

Fearful (73 Occurrences)
... 2:11 Fearful 'is' Jehovah against them, For He made bare all gods of the land, And
bow themselves to Him, each from his place, Do all islanders of the nations. ...
/f/fearful.htm - 28k

Philistines (224 Occurrences)
... They are connected with islanders of the "green sea," who may have lived in Arvad
or in Cyprus; but there is no evidence in any written statement that they ...
/p/philistines.htm - 75k

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