Original Word: νῆσος
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: nésos
Pronunciation: NAY-sos
Phonetic Spelling: (nay'-sos)
Definition: an island.
Meaning: The word νῆσος means "island."

Word Origin: Derived from ancient Greek, the term νῆσος is a primary word in the Greek language.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Hebrew equivalent for the Greek word νῆσος in the Strong's Hebrew Dictionary. However, the concept of islands is present in the Hebrew Bible, often using the term אִי (iy, Strong's Hebrew 339), which also means "island" or "coastland." This term is used in prophetic literature to describe distant lands or regions across the sea.

Usage: The term is used in the New Testament to refer to islands, often in the context of travel or geographical descriptions.

Context: The Greek word νῆσος appears several times in the New Testament, primarily in the context of the Apostle Paul's missionary journeys and other travels. It is used to describe various islands in the Mediterranean region, which were significant in the spread of early Christianity.

In Acts 27:16, during Paul's voyage to Rome, the ship encounters difficulties near the island of Clauda: "As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we barely managed to secure the lifeboat." Here, νῆσος is used to describe the island that provided temporary shelter from the storm.

Another notable mention is in Acts 28:1, where Paul and his companions are shipwrecked on the island of Malta: "Once we were safely ashore, we learned that the island was called Malta." This event is significant as it led to the spread of the Gospel on the island, showcasing the providence of God in using natural events to further His purposes.

The use of νῆσος in the New Testament highlights the geographical and cultural context of the early Christian mission. Islands were often strategic locations for travel and trade, making them important for the dissemination of the Gospel message. The term underscores the challenges and opportunities faced by early Christians as they navigated the diverse landscapes of the ancient world.

Word Origin
of uncertain origin
Definition
an island
NASB Translation
island (9).

STRONGS NT 3520: νῆσος

νῆσος, νήσου, ὁ (νεώ, to swim, properly, 'floating land'), an island: Acts 13:6; Acts 27:26; Acts 28:1, 7, 9, 11; Revelation 1:9; Revelation 6:14; Revelation 16:20. (the Sept. for אִי; (from Homer down).)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

island, isle.

Probably from the base of naus; an island -- island, isle.

see GREEK naus

Forms and Transliterations

νήσοι νήσοις νησον νήσον νῆσον νησος νήσος νῆσος νησου νήσου νήσους νησω νήσω νήσῳ νήσων neso nēsō nḗsoi nḗsōi neson nêson nēson nē̂son nesos nêsos nēsos nē̂sos nesou nēsou nḗsou

Links

Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts